- Use a pumpkin carving knife. They are inexpensive and safe and they do an excellent job cutting curves and tight corners. Much easier and safer than a large kitchen knife.
- Clean the outside of the pumpkin with plain water and a sponge. Allow to dry.
- You need to cut the top of the pumpkin around the stalk in order to get at the inside and to make your pumpkin lid. Cut the lid out on an angle facing in or toward the stem of the pumpkin. This will allow a tight fit on top even if the lid shrinks a bit.
- If you are going to use a candle inside your pumpkin you should carve out a small hole in the bottom of the pumpkin to help hold the candle. Better would be to use a votive candle and holder or a battery powered light.
- Scoop out the pulp and seeds and scrape the inside of the pumpkin until it is clean and smooth.
- Tip: When cleaning the inside of your pumpkin scrape the inside wall to an inch thick. This will make carving a lot easier.
- Tip: Use an ice-cream scoop to clean out your pumpkin instead of bending your kitchen spoons.
- You may want to put the seeds aside for later cooking or saving for next year’s pumpkins.
- Since a pumpkin is a member of the winter squash family, it’ll last quite a while in storage. It’s only when it’s carved that it’ll begin to deteriorate rapidly.
Carving Tips
- Draw a pumpkin face design on paper first. Even the youngest child can draw a design on paper. Next transfer your design onto the pumpkin with a felt pen.
- For younger children, keep the design simple. The fewer curves, angles, and cuts, the better the result.
- Slowly begin to cut out the pattern. Slow is very important as a mistake in carving can alter or ruin the outcome.
- You can accent features on your pumpkin design by using a black marker.
- Use a pumpkin carving knife. They are designed for carving pumpkins, and are less likely than a large kitchen knife, to cause injury.
