Halloween is just over 3 weeks away! Since we live in the country, I highly doubt we will be entertaining any trick-or-treaters. So it’s totally not necessary to carve pumpkins. But I probably will anyway…because it’s fun! Plus, my boys will really enjoy doing them with me and love watching the Jack o’ Lanterns glow!

In celebration of this favorite Halloween tradition of mine, here is a list of the top 10 pumpkin carving tips I have learned and found most useful over the years.

10 Pumpkin Carving Tips

1. Raid the kitchen gadgets drawer or the toolbox in the garage. Consider using gadgets and tools other than the typical purchased carving set. Serrated knives, saws, screwdrivers, and various other utensils can be used and can create unique patterns and incisions.
2. When cutting the lid off the top of the pumpkin, cut at an inward angle. This helps prevent the lid from falling back into the pumpkin. Also, to keep the pumpkin from being roly-poly, slice off part of the bottom of the pumpkin to create a flat edge. OR you can forgo cutting a LID  and instead simply cut a hole out of the BOTTOM of the pumpkin. This leaves the top looking nicer.
3. Cut a small hole in the lid or on the top of the pumpkin for ventilation if you are using a candle to illuminate it.
4. When drawing a pattern on your pumpkin, use a dry erase marker so the lines are easy to wipe away once finished.
5. Cut the smallest holes in the design first then work your way up to the large holes. Always saw gently and slowly so as not to cause any pieces to fall off.
6. Consider cutting a pattern on the front and the back of the pumpkin (not necessarily the exact same one). This way, when it is illuminated, it will cast fun shadows behind the pumpkin.
7. To prevent molding and to help keep bugs away, fill a spray bottle with 10 drops of Thieves essential oil blend and half a cup of white vinegar (or just Thieves Cleaner). Spritz the inside of the pumpkin a couple times a day with this mixture. You can also cover the cut edges with beeswax paste (or petroleum jelly) to prevent the pumpkin from drying out and shriveling up. Repeat these steps as often as necessary to lengthen the existence of your Jack o’ Lantern.
8. After carving your pumpkin, you could also paint around the cut-out design to give it more color and detail.
9. Instead of illuminating your pumpkin with an old-fashioned candle, use an LED candle (i.e. a flameless candle) or place a strand of battery operated Christmas lights inside (green or blue adds a unique glow).
10. Instead of throwing away the pumpkin seeds, eat them! Here’s a simple recipe for toasting them.

Photo Credit: 123RF

Roasted Pumkin Seeds

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Course 3:0

Cuisine S

Ingredients

  

• pumpkin seeds
• butter
• Real Salt
• other spices {garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, etc.; optional}

Instructions

 

• Rinse all the pumpkin guts off with cold water.
• Spread the seeds out over towels and allow to rest overnight or until completely dry.
• Coat the dry seeds with melted butter.
• Spread over an ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and any spices.
• Bake in a 350° oven for 15 minutes or until lightly toasted.
• Enjoy plain, served over tossed salad, or blended in homemade trail mix.