Carving a pumpkin may not be hard, but that doesn’t mean that it’s as easy as it first appears. One wrong move and you can end up in a spooky situation. That’s why it is better to have a plan. Follow the steps below and enjoy your perfectly carved pumpkin.
Choose Wisely
You want to buy a pumpkin that will last throughout the entire Halloween season. Be sure to choose a carving pumpkin as they are thin yet sturdy and thus easier to carve. To ensure that you are choosing a pumpkin that is up to the task, try tapping on it. You should hear a hollow sound, if you do, you’ve found your pumpkin.
Set-Up Your Workstation
Things are bound to get messy. Because of this, you need to make sure that your workstation is in a place that you do not mind getting dirty. Cover your work surface with multiple layers of newspaper before you begin. Once you have prepared your workstation, the next step is to gather the right tools.
You can buy a pumpkin carving kit from your local supermarket, Halloween pop-up shop, or drug store. Odds are, you probably have more than a few tools in your kitchen that can be used for this purpose as well. Make sure you have all your tools ready at your workstation so that you do not have to move back and forth while completing the carving. A 4.5-inch vegetable knife with good grips and a nylon ladle are the two must-haves if you are not buying a carving kit.
Let the Carving Begin
Using your pen, draw a circle around the stem, about 5-6-inches in diameter. You can add a notch in the back to make it easier for you to the lid up. Then, with a slim carving knife or serrated knife, cut through the marked line. Keep a 45-degree inward angle so that the lid won’t fall inside once you are done.
Clean Out the Pumpkin
Plunge your hands inside the pumpkin from the top and scoop out as many seeds and strings as you can and put them in a bowl. Once you have taken out the seeds, use a scraper or ladle to clean out the inside until there are bits of strings remaining inside the pumpkin. If you are inclined, separate the guts from the seeds. You can roast the seeds in your oven later on at 300℉ for about 45 minutes.
Draw Your Design
Next, you will need to draw the design on your pumpkin. Drawing the design before will make it easier for you to control the final product.
Along the line of your design make straight cuts on the pumpkin. Ensure that the cuts are clean and the inside of the pumpkin is thoroughly cleaned out. Remember to take your time during this step as it is the most important one.
Light It Up
Put a tea candle in the bottom of the pumpkin and, using a lighter or long match, light up your pumpkin and place the lid back on.
There you have it, an easy guide to carve your pumpkin and make a perfect jack-o-lantern for your Halloween decoration.
