Q Why do we call wisdom teeth, wisdom teeth? Do they make us wiser?

A: All of us at the Farmers’ Almanac enjoyed this question. In fact, it’s been a question we’ve all thought about from time to time. After doing some research, it seems that the only reason we call them wisdom teeth is because they appear in most people’s mouths much later than the other molars, at an age when people are supposedly wiser than a child. Wisdom teeth are actually third molars that usually appear between the ages of 18-20.

Q What is the best way to make orange or lemon zest? Can you purchase zest as you would a spice?

A: The zest of an orange or lemon is the outermost part of the rind of the fruit. It is used as a flavoring in many recipes. One of the easiest ways to make zest is to purchase a zester, which you use in a manner similar to a peeler or grater. A zester has tiny cutting holes that create threadlike strips of peel. You can also use a grater or purchase dried zest in the spice section of most grocery stores, but fresh zest is best.

Q What’s the best way to use fresh pumpkins when making pie?

A: Even though canned pumpkin is readily available and easy to use, many people believe that the best pumpkin pies come from fresh pumpkins. Before you start cooking the pumpkin, you need to choose the right variety. Many recipes call for using a sugar or baby pumpkin for cooking, and suggest picking a pumpkin that weighs about 3 to 5 pounds, has no blemishes and has a hard rind. To cook the pumpkin, you can bake, boil or use the microwave oven.

If you choose to microwave it, wash the outside and poke several holes in the rind to allow steam to escape. Then microwave it on high for 7 minutes per pound. To bake a pumpkin, cut it in half, scrape the seeds and strands out and place it cut-side down in a pan. Bake in a 425 degree Fahrenheit oven for at least one hour.

To boil, you can puncture and cook the pumpkin whole or peel and cut into one-inch cubes. Place in a pot with just enough water to cover the pumpkin and boil until soft and tender.

To puree the cooked pumpkin, be sure to remove the rind and seeds. Scoop out the meat and process in a blender or food processor until it is thick and smooth.

You can use the puree immediately or store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. To freeze it, place the puree in sealable plastic bags or containers, and freeze for up to several months. Then use as you would pumpkin from a can.

Q What is the best way to store onions?

A: Treat onions as you would any other perishable. Bruising damages fresh onions and makes them spoil more quickly. The best place to store them is in cool, dry and well-ventilated areas. A pantry or basement works well.

If you have old stockings, place onions in the stockings and make a knot in between each onion. Then hang the filled stocking and cut off a knot when an onion is needed.

Write to Farmers’ Almanac, P.O. Box 1609, Lewiston, ME 04241 or e-mail: [email protected].

Q Why do stars appear to twinkle, but planets do not?

A: Stars are minute pinpoints of light. No matter how powerful the telescope, a star will always appear to be just that: a tiny pinpoint, with no discernable disk. When we look at the stars through our turbulent atmosphere, those tiny pinpoints become easily distorted and thus appear to twinkle.

Planets, on the other hand, appear as disks through telescopes. They have a much larger apparent size and hence are not prone to having their light distorted by our atmosphere as much as stars.