Ask:
Anyone have any pumpkin carving tips? I was going to attempt cleaning, carving and making pumpkins seeds this year.
Answer:
We usually try to draw our design on the pumpkin first instead of just free hand carving. Last year I found some websites with designs on them too that we just printed out, taped on the pumpkin and then carved right through it. We added our own design touches but having the basic design was great for those of us 'not so creative' types. We always lay down lots of newspapers too to keep cleanup easier. Have fun!
Answer:
We do the same. We usually use a washable marker to draw on the face. We sometimes sketch it out on paper first if we're feeling particularly artsy.
Answer:
Just don't forget to coat the pumpkin lid with Vaseline, it will make it not sink into the pumpkin and make it last a little longer too. Go to food network and look for Rachel Ray's recipe for roasted pumkin seeds. They sound so good, I'm going to try them this year.
Answer:
Don't use those cheap Pumpking Carving Tools they sell in the store. They usually break after the first cut and your left searching for a good safe knife to use. We usually talke the saw blade from a Jigsaw put in in a clamp and use that for cutting. It's stronger and cuts through the pumpkin like butter. Another tip is to make sure the pumpkin has been in the house overnight and is warm. That makes for easier cutting. Try using an ice cream scooper to get all the guts out.
Once the pumpkin has been carved make sure you apply vaseline on the cuts to keep it from browning up and looking yucky. We have used glow sticks to light the jack-o-lantern because it's safer on halloween and if it gets knocked over it's no big deal.
Happy Halloween