October means Halloween and Halloween means…pumpkins! We’ve put together a guide to help you pick the perfect gourd and carve a masterpiece that’s sure to be the envy of your neighbourhood!
Start with the right pumpkin!
Bigger pumpkins are easier to carve, but you need to inspect the rind too. If it’s a light colour, it will have softer flesh, meaning carving details will be easier.
Choose a pumpkin that has a sturdy stem and a flat bottom, so it won’t roll.
If you notice any spots or bruises, this could mean the pumpkin has already started rotting – a bad sign if you’re hoping it will last more than a few days.
Give your pumpkin a lift. If it’s heavy, that means it probably has thicker flesh. The ideal pumpkin should feel relatively light, meaning it’s nice and hollow inside.
Cutting
When you cut the lid, cut it on an angle, not cuts that go straight up and down, otherwise your lid will drop inside when you replace it. A boning knife is good for this if you have one.
Scoop out the flesh leaving a wall about 4cm thick. Thin down the inner wall of the ‘face’ area, so it will be easier to pierce when you come to cut out features.
The best carving tools can be bought as a pumpkin carving kit. When you cut your design, hold the pumpkin in your lap – it’s easier to carve features when the face is gazing up at you. Don’t cut on a slant as clean up and down slice look best.
If you’re going for high art, print or draw your design on paper first. Then lightly trace the design through the paper and onto the pumpkin with the tip of your knife.
You can use the scraps creatively by making a tongue or ears with a discarded piece of pumpkin peel.
Tips and Safety
In order to keep your pumpkin fresh, use Vaseline on the cut edges to seal in moisture. If your pumpkin still starts to shrivel, revive it by soaking it face down in cold water for a few hours.
It’s safest to use battery operated tealights in your lantern, but if you’re using candles, make sure you provide enough oxygen to feed the flame by leaving the lid ajar and by cutting ears or air holes in the side and back of the pumpkin.
Use a tealight inside a pint glass for extra safety, and remember to never leave a flame unattended.
Sprinkle some cinnamon inside the lantern so that when you light your candle, your lantern will smell delicious!
