Pumpkin carving is a timeless activity of Halloween, but once made, the
Jack o’ Lantern itself doesn’t have as long of a life span. Here are 4
easy tips for creating the perfect pumpkin, and extending its life so
it doesn’t become a ghost by Halloween night. —
1.
Start with a large pumpkin without bruises or moldy stems to prevent
faster spoiling. Lighter colored pumpkins tend to be softer and easier
to carve.
2. Clean and dry your pumpkin. Cut out the stem at a
45 degree angle so the lid will have a place to rest on, rather than
falling through.
3. Take out the insides using a metal spoon or
ice cream scoop, aiming for 1 inch thickness of the shell. Also, the
smoother you make the back wall, the better the candle light will
reflect.
4. Once you have carved out your creation, help it
live long and prosper by immersing it in a solution of 1 teaspoon
bleach and 1 gallon water. This will help the pumpkin stay hydrated
and sterilize it to delay shrinking and molding. After drying it off,
rub the inside and the cut out surfaces with vaseline to seal in the
moisture. Repeat these steps whenever you feel your pumpkin is drying
out.
One more thing: save those seeds! Pumpkin seeds are an
excellent source of vitamins and minerals and are easy to prepare.
rinse them well removing all pulp, then leave overnight to dry. Place
on a baking sheet and toss to coat with butter, oil or cooking spray.
Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, seasoned salt, cayenne pepper, or
your favorite seasoning and bake in the oven for an hour, tossing every
15-20 minutes. Once they are cool, enjoy!
-Jessi Walter, tastebudscook.com
