When selecting pumpkins for carving, lighter colored ones carve easier, as they are softer. The downside is they do not last as long.
Pick pumpkins with a nice stem, and a carvable face. The unique shape of each stem gives your Jack O Lantern character.
Clean the pumpkins off, by washing them off with plain water and a sponge. Allow to dry.
Keep your pumpkins outside, or in a cool place, until you are ready to carve them.
Cut open the top of the pumpkin (the “lid”) and clean out the inside seeds and guts (humorously called “Pumpkin Brains”). Be careful not to pull hard on the stem, as it breaks easily.
Tip: When cleaning the inside of your Jack O’Lantern, scrape the inside wall to an inch thick. This makes carving a lot easier.
Set the seeds aside for cooking pumpkin seed snacks or for saving seeds to plant next year.
Here are some simple tips which will help to make your pumpkin carving event a safe one:
Do not let a young child use a knife….ever.
Always point knives away from you.
Keep your free hand away from the direction of the knife.
Use slicing motions, and never force the knife.
When using candles to light your Jack O’Lantern, do not leave it unattended. For indoor lighting, we recommend battery operated lights for safety.
Use an ice-cream scoop to clean out your pumpkins, instead of bending your kitchen spoons.
Select carving patterns or stencils that fits your age and expertise level.
For a unique jack-O’Lantern, add a little glow paint, or fake blood.
Insert a bowl into a carved pumpkin and add dry ice and warm water to create an extra spooky, smoke filled jack-o’-lantern.
Apply a light coating of petroleum jelly on the cuts. It will seal the wound and the pumpkin will last longer. After carving, place the pumpkin in a cool, dark place. It will spoil quickly, if left at room temperature, and will attract fruit flies.
Did you know? You can often revive shriveled Jack O Lantern, by soaking them in a bucket of water.
Without a doubt, this time of year, you are looking for an awesome new Halloween recipe or two. Then check out some of the biggest and best recipe collections on the internet now.
Pumpkin Recipes – Indeed, over 155 Halloween and pumpkin recipes. And, the collection is still growing.
Halloween Party Recipes – Are you planning a Halloween party? Most importantly, put the icky, gross, and gory into your party snack tray.
TGN’s Garden Recipes – You grow them all season. Now, you cook and bake your harvest.
Apple recipes – Let’s cook and bake with apples, too.
Holiday Recipes – Without a doubt, all sorts of recipes for all sorts of holidays.
