Carving the Perfect Halloween Pumpkin
Did you know that many centuries ago jack-o’ lanterns were used to scare away evil ghosts and spirits? These days we use jack-o’ lanterns for our amusement during the holidays and it’s not likely that one could even scare a child, let alone a wicked ghoul. Although the purpose of jack-o’ lanterns has changed immensely over time, the technique of pumpkin carving has remained the same. This article is all about how to carve a pumpkin.
Here are some things you will need before you start:
- A pumpkin
- A sharp knife
- A large spoon
- A black marker
- A candle
Step 1. Pick a Pumpkin
No, you don’t have to literally pick a pumpkin (although, you can if you want to), but you will have to go out and buy one. Most grocery stores and home and garden stores begin to sell pumpkins once Halloween starts approaching, so it shouldn’t be hard to find one. Typically when shopping for a good jack-o’ lantern, bigger is better.
Step 2. Clean Out the Pumpkin
Before you can start carving out your face or design, you need to get all the guts and goo out of the pumpkin. Carve a circle around the stem of the pumpkin and then remove it. Then take a large spoon and begin to scoop out the seeds and pulp. You want to make sure you leave only the outer rind of the pumpkin and completely remove the rest of the insides, as the seeds and pulp will rot rather quickly.
Step 3. Draw Your Pattern
This is the really fun part. Get out your black magic marker and draw the pattern you’re going to carve out on the surface of the pumpkin.
Step 4. Carve Out Your Pattern
Take a very sharp knife and carve out your pattern.
Step 5. Light it Up.
Place a candle inside the pumpkin and place the lid back on.
Additional Tips:
- Save the seeds from the inside of the pumpkin and salt and roast them on a pan in the oven for a delicious snack.
- If you are bad at drawing, you can try tracing your pattern on a flat piece of paper first or using a stencil.
- You can use petroleum jelly to preserve the edges of the pumpkin from rotting.
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