OK…it’s only a few more days til Halloween and if you have not done so already, better work on that Jack-o-lantern before the ghouls start knocking at your door. As is usually the case in such situations, we’re here to help…this time with our pumpkin carving tips!
- Choose a large pumpkin. The larger the pumpkin, the easier it is to carve. Avoid any pumpkins with bruises or moldy stems, as they will spoil much faster. Pumpkins with a lighter color tend to be softer and easier to carve.
- Draw your design on the pumpkin with a water based maker beforehand.
- When cutting out the top, place the knife at a 45 degree angle so that the lid will have a place to rest when you replace it. If you cut straight down, the lid will fall through.
- Remove seeds and pulp. When cleaning the pumpkin, save the seeds . Toasted pumpkin seeds make a healthy as well as tasty snack. Use a large, heavy metal serving spoon or ice cream scoop to scrape the insides.
- When carving, keep a portion of the knife blade in the pumpkin and use slow, steady strokes.
- Carve the facial features closest to the center first and work outward. Cut the larger features in sections.
- Remove carved portions by gently pushing them into or out of the pumpkin.
- Flatten a spot at the base of the pumpkin for the candle, but avoid digging too deep because the pumpkin becomes prone to rot.
- The best way to make a carved pumpkin last longer is to slow down the dehydration process. To do this, take a Q-tip and Vaseline all the cut edges on the face that you previously carved.
- A small battery operated touchlight is a safer choice than candles for lighting your jack-o-lantern.
- Sprinkle the bottom side of the pumpkin lid the ground cinnamon, nutmeg and/or cloves to let your jack-o’-lantern to double duty as an air freshener.
- You a can purchase the eyes, ears, nose (and probably a few other Jack-O-Lantern) anatomical attributes and just stick them on the pumpkin. It’s kinda like decorating Mr. Potato Head only the head is a lot heavier!
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