Turning a pumpkin into the perfect Jack-o'-lantern
Nothing
says Halloween quite like the glow
from an expertly carved, candle-lit
jack-o'-lantern sitting on a front
porch or in the window. According to
legend, people have been carving
these spooky symbols for hundreds of
years. Although Europeans originally
used gourds, the good old American
pumpkin is now
the only way to go when you're
making a Halloween carving.
By keeping a few tips and tricks in mind, you can quickly and easily carve a pumpkin that you will be proud to display in or outside your home.
* Decide on a design. Before you even buy a pumpkin, the first thing you need to do is decide what you are going to carve on it. That way, when you go to purchase a pumpkin, you have a picture in your head of the shape and size you need.
If you don't happen to be a fine artist, you don't have to worry about designing your pumpkin's face. There are many patterns available in stores that you can just place against your pumpkin and trace. They come in a wide variety of designs, including many fancy ones.
* Picking the right pumpkin. If you are not using a stencil to carve the pumpkin, decide if it should be tall and narrow or more rounded, based on your ideas. If you are using a stencil, select a pumpkin that is large enough and as close to the same shape as the pattern you are going to carve. All the pumpkins should be ripe and as smooth as possible with no scratches or dents.
* If the stem breaks ... Never carry a pumpkin by its stem; it may break. If the stem does break, use toothpicks when opening the top. If you find the perfect pumpkin, but the stem is broken, you can still carve it. Just carve out the bottom, the same as you would the top. Then place the light source on the bottom piece and sit the pumpkin over it.
* Tools you'll need:
* A boning knife for cutting the top hole and any large pieces out of the face.
* A modified paring knife, with a very thin blade for detail work.
* A sharpening stone. It is best to sharpen the knives before and during use.
* A cutting saw for carving fine-detailed areas.
* A poker tool to transfer your designs onto the face of the pumpkin. Use an ice pick, nail or artist's stylus tool.
* Your pattern.
* Spoons to remove the seeds, pulp and skin from the inside of the pumpkin. An ice-cream scoop and a large metal ladle works best.
* Candles and holders. Plain white votive candles, placed in clear glass holders, give off the best light and last the longest.
After you have carved out the pumpkin, save the seeds and roast them in the oven or use as birdseed in the winter.
* Preserving your pumpkin. You go through all this work to make something that lasts anywhere from a week to a day — there must be something you can do to help prolong the lifespan of your Jack-o'-lantern? There is! Soak the pumpkin in water overnight; this will replace all the moisture it has lost. Or after carving, coat all the cut areas, including the inside, with petroleum jelly. The petroleum jelly will act as a barrier to seal in the pumpkin's natural moisture.
Moving pumpkins to shaded areas during the daytime hours will also help extend their life. There is a commercial pumpkin dip available, but it is messy and time-consuming. The pumpkins have to be dipped every night after they have been carved. If you really want to preserve your pumpkin, try the spray-on preserver called Pumpkin Preserver. It is environmentally friendly with all natural ingredients and deters mold, rot and bugs.
