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FALL HOME & GARDEN - ANTON COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS - OCTOBER 2012
Pumpkin Picking/Carving Tips By Dave Gil de Rubio dgilderubio@antonnews.com
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reshness is the key to picking the perfect pumpkin, so your best bet is to visit a farm that allows you to choose your own gourd. Be sure to inspect all sides of the pumpkin being sure to notice any mold, bruises or soft spots. The ideal one should be a bright shade of orange. The lighter the shade,
the softer it is, making it easier to carve. The tradeoff is that it will not last as long. Before taking it off the vine, set the pumpkin down levelly to see how it will sit once you go to display it. Avoid breaking the stem off. If there is difficulty in separating the gourd from the vine, it’s still not ripe enough to pick. After carrying the pumpkin by the bottom to avoid breaking off the stem,
Carving a Halloween pumpkin is a fun activity that parents can do with their children.
be sure to store it in a cool, dry place before displaying and/or carving. Lay out your tools. Ideally you’ll need a large knife or pumpkin cutting implement, an ice-cream scooper, marker, a bowl in which to put the gourd’s innards and if you’re feeling adventurous, stencils specifically created for pumpkin carving. Use water and a sponge to clean off the exterior before leaving it to dry. Draw a circle or hexagon around the top of the pumpkin, making sure the opening is large enough for your hand to go through. With a back-and-forth cutting motion, use your knife to cut along the shape you drew. The idea is this part with the stem will serve as a cap for your jack-o-lantern. After cutting out the stem, scrape any seeds or pulp off the bottom of it. Seeds can also be saved to later roast. Use the ice cream scoop to empty the pumpkin of its seeds and pulp, putting them in the bowl for disposal. Try to scrape the inner walls to a one-inch thickness for easier carving. Draw a pattern on the pumpkin with your marker. Make your eyes, mouth, etc. large so as to make carving easier. Start to cut along the borders of your pattern. Be sure to go slow,
A light inside of a pumpkin can enhance its look. For safety reason, use a battery operated light instead of a candle.
with a cutting motion, always making sure to cut away from yourself while keeping your free hand away from the direction of the knife. Gently push out the pieces from the inside. Put a votive candle into the jacko-lantern for outdoor use; go with a battery-operated light if you’re keeping it inside. By applying a light coating of petroleum jelly to the cuts on the pumpkin, it will seal the wounds and make it last longer. Also keep it in a cool dry place so as to not attract fruit flies and if there is a chance of frost, bring the jack-o-lantern inside so as to avoid accelerating spoilage. Tools: Marker, Sponge, Water, Bowl, Knife, Ice cream scooper, Stencils (optional), Votive candle/ battery-operated light (optional)
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