Pumpkins have traditionally been associated with the United States where Pumpkin Pie is very popular. Demand has grown in recent years on this side of the Atlantic where they are mostly used for decorative purposes at Halloween.
Basic Carving Tips for your Halloween Pumpkins
Keep away grumbling ghouls, sinister spirits and ghastly ghosts on Halloween night by positioning your pumpkin lantern in a window. Dim the room, light the candles and watch the cackling face flickering in the eerie darkness!
Tools Needed
- A knife with a short strong blade – no long knives. Children should be supervised with this.
- A large spoon or ice-cream scoop for scooping out the flesh.
- Newspaper – As it makes a bit of a mess!
- Nightlights for inside the carved pumpkin or nightlights, inside a jar, inside the carved pumpkins.
Carving Tips
- Draw your design on the pumpkin with a water-based marker beforehand.
- Out of the top, cut the lid at an angle with a sharp, straight-edged knife. This prevents the top from falling into the pumpkin when it shrinks. Remove seeds and pulp.
- Never hold the knife in a stabbing position.
- When carving, keep a portion of the knife blade in the pumpkin and use slow, steady saw strokes.
- Carve the facial features closest to the centre first and work outward. Cut out the larger features in sections.
- Remove carved portions by gently pushing them into or out of the pumpkin.
- Reattach a section that is accidentally removed by using a toothpick to pin it back in place.
- Flatten a spot at the base of the pumpkin for the candle, but avoid digging too deep because the pumpkin becomes prone to rot.