The chill of crisp evening air, the scattering of crunchy leaves across the earth, and the smell of cinnamon-flavored baked goods wafting through the house. Autumn is here. For many families, October signifies the beginning of Fall festivities, like carving a pumpkin. Follow these steps and you’ll end up with a cute and classic jack-o’-lantern with easy, no-fuss cleanup afterwards.
Pick A Long-lasting Pumpkin- Pumpkins are organic, so there’s no way to stop the rotting process indefinitely. But there are smart, thrifty ways to keep your carved pumpkin fresh and extend its life through Halloween and beyond! Before you start carving, it’s important to understand the factors that lead to pumpkin rot. Pumpkin skin provides a protective layer from the elements. Once the skin is broken, organisms like fungi, bacteria, mold, and insects are able to enter and begin breaking it down. Which means from the moment you make the first cut, the clock starts ticking. When prepping your pumpkin for carving, be sure to scrape and discard as much of the pulp (aka pumpkin guts) as possible. The cleaner and drier the pumpkin interior, the slower the rotting process. Dilute one tablespoon of peppermint dish soap in a quart of water. Pour the mixture into a clean spray bottle and lightly spray the inside of your pumpkin. Peppermint is antifungal and will slow the decomposition process, significantly extending the life of your pumpkin. If it is still warm in your neck of the woods, consider placing your carved pumpkins in the fridge at night instead of leaving them on the porch. Another way to rehydrate your pumpkins is to fill a large bucket, bin, or tub with cold water and soak the pumpkins overnight. Typically, pumpkins set out for less than a week don’t need rehydration, especially if you live in a cool climate. If you notice yours beginning to wilt, however, take them for a dip!
Get Your Workspace Ready- Line your work surface (a sturdy table or the ground) with something you’ll throw away later like butcher paper, newsprint, or plastic table cover.
Gather the Right Tools- You can get a pumpkin carving kit from your local drugstore, supermarket, or Halloween pop-up shop. Or you can use a few tools from your kitchen. These tools include a good vegetable knife or serrated knife, a ladle, scissors, bowls, trashcan and towels. Ensure you have everything you need at the beginning of the process, so you don’t have to travel back through your kitchen with pumpkin-covered hands.
Draw Before You Carve- This is the time to show your creativity! In addition to your carving tools, you’ll need a sharpie pen or marker for drawing your design onto the pumpkin and a couple big bowls — one for the seeds and one for the rest of the pumpkin goo and throwaway bits leftover from carving.
Supplies
1 medium-sized pumpkin (or as many as you want to carve)
Plastic table cover, newsprint, or butcher paper
Sharpie pen or other permanent marker
Pumpkin carving kit(including a scraper, carving knife, and a wire modeling tool) or a serrated knife, ladle, and an X-ACTO knife
Two medium bowls (one for seeds, one for pumpkin guts)
Kitchen towel
Tea light candle and long match orlighter with extended nozzle
Directions
Set up your workspace:Line a sturdy table with flattened grocery bags, newsprint, or butcher paper. Have your permanent marker, carving tools, and bowls nearby.
Draw your design:After you’ve determined the best side of your pumpkin for a face, use the permanent marker to sketch out eyes, a nose and a toothy grin.
Draw your lid:Outline a circular lid around the pumpkin stem, about 5 to 6 inches in diameter. Add a notch in the back if you like — this makes it easier to line up.
Cut out the pumpkin lid:With a slim pumpkin carving knife (the carving tool with a toothed blade like a mini-saw) or serrated knife, cut along the outline of your pumpkin lid. Make sure you slice through the pumpkin at a 45-degree inward angle, so you’ll be able to replace the lid without it falling in.
Remove the pumpkin seeds: The seeds are all attached to the pumpkin and each other by thin strings. Grab the big bunches of seeds with your hands and place them in one of the bowls to be cleaned later.
Scoop out the insides of the pumpkin:Using a ladle or the scraper that came with your kit (or a metal spoon if you don’t have this tool), clean out the inside of the pumpkin until no stringy bits remain. Discard the pumpkin guts in the second bowl.
Wipe off the pumpkin:Use the kitchen towel to wipe off the outside of the pumpkin so that it will be easier and safer to carve.
Cut out the design:Make straight cuts into your pumpkin along the lines of your design, removing the pieces and discarding them in the refuse bowl.
Clean up the details:Go back in and scrape out any stringy pieces or jagged lines with an X-ACTO knife or the wire tool from your carving kit. You can also scrape off the marker lines while you’re at it, though they won’t be visible in the darkness of night.
Light your pumpkin:Insert a tea light candle in the bottom of your pumpkin. Use a long match or lighter to light the pumpkin and replace the lid. Tip: If you’re having trouble lighting the candle, try going through the mouth of the jack-o’-lantern instead of the top.
Make roasted pumpkin seeds: Clean and dry the pumpkin seeds, then toss with oil, salt, and any desired seasonings, and roast in a low oven until golden brown.
