1. Choose the Perfect Pumpkin.
You want to make sure your pumpkin is fresh. If you bought it at the beginning of the month and it has been sitting on your porch for awhile, it may not be the best pumpkin for carving. You also want to choose a pumpkin with no bruises, a sturdy stem and a flat bottom so it doesn't roll around. Pumpkins of lighter color have a softer flesh, making intricate designs easier to carve.
2. Cut the Top Off at an Angle.
The first step in carving a pumpkin is cutting the top off so you can get all the pulp out of the inside. When you cut the top off, you'll want to cut it at an angle rather than straight up and down. This way the lid won't fall into the pumpkin when you replace it. For this step, a boning knife works best.
3. Remove All the Pulp.
There's a lot of goop inside of a pumpkin, and before you start carving, you'll want to remove it all. While some of it will easily come out with your hand, you may want to purchase a special "claw" or an ice cream scoop to get the job done. You will get messy, so if you don't like touching the pulp, you may want to purchase some rubber gloves as well. You want to thin the wall of the pumpkin as much as you can so that it's easier to carve.
4. Start Carving Your Pumpkin.
Depending on how fancy you want to get with your design, you may want to trace the design on the pumpkin before you get started cutting. The key to safe carving is to use a sharp knife. The sharper the knife, the less force you'll need to use and the less likely the knife is to slip. For increased stability, carve out the smallest details first, then work your way up to the larger cuts. It's also a good idea to leave the cut pieces in place until you are finished cutting all the lines.
5. Use Petroleum Jelly to Keep it Fresh.
Pumpkins contain a lot of water and when you start cutting into them, they begin to lose that moisture. That's why they shrivel up after awhile. To keep your pumpkin fresh longer, spread petroleum jelly on the cut edges to seal in moisture. If your pumpkin still shrivels up a few days later, you can try to revive it by soaking it facedown in cold water for up to eight hours.
Happy Halloween weekend from Your Lake Vacation! We hope these tips come in handy when you are carving your pumpkins this weekend. Have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend! For all your upcoming getaway needs, keep our Lake of the Ozarks vacation rental company in mind!
For more information please call us toll free at 1-877-284-0267!!
4571 Osage Beach Pkwy, Suite A
Osage Beach, MO 65065
Local - 573-365-3367
Fax - 573-365-5076
Osage Beach, MO 65065
Local - 573-365-3367
Fax - 573-365-5076
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