I think we can all agree that fall has finally arrived. The leaves are changing colors, the air is getting crisp and halloween is just around the corner. And that also means its pumpkin season! These beautiful orange gourds are truly the symbol of halloween and fall for me. In this article, we are doing a throwback to last years live stream, when we carved pumpkins into jack o'lanterns together. We will go through any and all questions you might have about pumpkins, carving, and how to make them illuminate your fall.
What do I need to carve pumpkins?
To carve your own beautiful jack o'lantern, you will need:
- A pumpkin
- A spoon or hand trowel
- A knife
- A marker
- A candle, a led-light or any small, wireless light source of your choosing
- Creativity!
What kind of pumpkin is best for carving?
When choosing your pumpkin, there are a few things to take into consideration. You need a quite sizable pumpkin, preferably one that weighs around 15-25 pounds, to make sure you have enough room to carve your design. You also need to make sure your pumpkin has a wide base to stand on, otherwise it will tip over if the wind picks up. One of the best varieties to use is the perfectly named Jack-O'Lantern pumpkin. As the name suggests, it's main reason for existing is pumpkin carving. Make sure the stem of the pumpkin is sturdy and healthy-looking, not brown and dry, as this may be a sign that it is going to go bad pretty soon.You also want a pumpkin with a smooth surface, to make it easier to carve your design.
Make sure your pumpkin is firm and dense, as soft spots are a sign that the pumpkin may be starting to go bad.
These tips only relate to your classic, big orange pumpkin lantern. If you want a smaller lantern, any sturdy gourd with a stable, flat base and smooth surface will do. Why not use a smaller kind as a beautiful center piece for your table decorations, or as a beautiful feature in your garden? Just make sure to use a light without a flame if you intend to leave it unsupervised.
How do I do it?
Pumpkin carving is a fun activity for the entire family to do together, but there are a few things to think about before you start.
Choose your pumpkin
A smooth, big pumpkin with a flat, stable base and sturdy stem is going to be your best pick for your classic pumpkin lantern.
Cut the top off
Use your knife to take the top with the stem off, but remember to not throw it away, as it will act as a lid later when the lantern is ready. Angle your knife inwards towards the stem as you cut it, to make sure the top can act as a lid afterwards. If you plan to use a real candle, you can make a few smaller holes in the lid for extra ventilation.
You can also cut off the bottom, and place your pumpkin on your candle or light source.
Scoop and empty the insides of the pumpkin
Take your spoon, trowel or hand, and start taking out the seeds and the stringy insides of your pumpkin. Scrape and try to get as much of the insides out as possible, as this can help your pumpkin stay fresh longer. It will also help you later as you start carving. If you want to help your pumpkin stay fresh a bit longer, you can wait until the inside is dry before carving your design, this will also help against your pumpkin becoming moldy.
But save the seeds! Roasted pumpkin seeds are a delicous and healty snack.
Draw your design with a marker
Here comes the fun part! This is where you can let your creativity shine, and you get to put your vision into reality. Use a marker to draw whatever design you want onto your pumpkin, as this makes it a lot easier when you start carving later. Go classic with triangle eyes and a jagged mouth, or why not try something new, like a moon, a cat, a witch or a vampire. The possibilities are endless.
Carve your design
Start carving by carefully using your knife to cut around your previously drawn lines.
After you've cut the entire outline, gently push the part out from the inside, as this can give you cleaner edges.
Remember to take your time with the carving, especially if you have curves or round shapes in your design. Carving pumpkins isn't a dash, it's a marathon and should be fun and not rushed. You can use a serrated knife for larger, straight parts and a smaller, pointed knife for the more intricate details.
You can also use a smaller knife to scrape the surface of your pumpkin, to create a more advanced design. Instead of cutting all the way through, scrape the outside carefully, to give your design dimension and multiple shades.
Light it up
Now that you have a beautiful pumpkin, it's time to show it off and light it up! There are a few different things you can use to make your pumpkin shine, the most common is to use a tea light or a candle, but you can also use any battery driven light source as well. Just make sure it is suitable for outdoor use, as your pumpkin can get wet if it is placed outside. Also remember to never leave any candle with an open flame unattended.If you use a candle, you can make small holes in the lid to get a bit of extra ventilation.
Finishing Touches
Your Jack O-Lantern is finished! The only thing left to do now is to choose a good place for it. Put it on your porch, on the stairs leading up to your home, on a gravel path, or really anywhere you see fit.
To help it last longer, I would recommend putting it somewwhere sheltered, or at least with a little bit of cover over it.
How do I keep it pretty?
Choose a healthy pumpkin. When choosing your pumpkin, make sure its healthy and plump. Check the stem, as this is a good indicator of the status of your pumpkin. It should be green, sturdy and healthy looking. Also check for any soft spots, your pumpkin should have none.
To prevent premature molding, you can also mix up a bottle with vinegar and water in equal parts and spray it all over your Jack o'lantern. The vinegar helps against bacteria and other things that can start the molding process.
Another piece of advice is to use petroleum jelly on any surface that you've cut on your pumpkin. If you don't have any, coconut oil has the same effect. This will keep those edges and surfaces protected, and prevent your pumpkin from drying up and becoming a raisin too fast.
You should also avoid handling your pumpkin too much, as you naturally have oils and baceria on your hands, that can get transferred to your pumpkin and make it go bad too fast. It can also damage the structure or bruise your Jack O-lantern, so handle rarely and with care.
Keep it cool. Pumpkins like other gourds like a steady, cool temperature around 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 60°F), so take your pumpkin in if it gets colder, or warmer than that. Direct sunlight can also speed up the rotting process, so keep it cool and out of the sun.
Recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds:
After you are finished with carving, you might feel a bit snacky. Isn't it perfect that your Jack O-lantern comes with its own snacks? Pumpkin seeds are delicious and nutritious, and the perfect little snack.Here's how to make your own roasted pumpkin seeds:
You'll need:
- Fresh pumpkin seeds
- Olive oil or butter
- Salt
- Seasonings of your choice
- Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F)
- Clean your seeds by rinsing them in cold water in a colinder and remove as much pumpkin pulp as you can. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Put your seeds in a bowl. Add a tablespoon or two of your oil or butter and sprinkle a bit of salt and any seasonings you like into the bowl. Shake it all around until your seeds are coverered and coated.
- Spread your seeds out evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or with a bit more oil.
- Place your baking sheet in the middle of the oven and roast for 20-30 minutes, remember to stir the seeds around a few times to get them evenly roasted.
- Remove them from the oven, and let them cool on your baking sheet.
I hope this guide has inspired you to make your own Jack O'lantern this year, happy crafting!
