Still need to carve your pumpkin for Halloween? Our friends at Good Housekeeping offer 8 tips that will make your pumpkin the most popular on your street! Happy carving!
1. Good carving starts with the right pumpkin.
Choose one that is fresh, with a sturdy stem and no bruises, and that has a flat bottom so it won’t roll.
2. Cut out the lid on an angle, not straight up and down.
This way the lid won’t drop inside the pumpkin when you replace it. A boning knife works best for this.
3. Scoop out all the pulp — and then some.
You can buy a special “claw” for this, but an ice cream scoop will do just fine. Thin the inner wall of the “face” area to 1 1/4-inch thick, so it will be easier to pierce the shell.
4. Hold the pumpkin in your lap when it’s time to carve the features.
It’s easier to carve when the face is gazing up at you. And don’t cut on a slant; clean up-and-down slices look best. To make intricate designs, try using a small saw. Pumpkin Masters makes a pumpkin-carving kit with a 4-in-1 tool, a scraper tool, a saw, a drill, a pounce wheel and 14 patterns ($12, amazon.com).
Get the rest of the tips at GoodHousekeeping.com.
We have Halloween safety tips for the family so you can keep your celebration fun.
Want to keep your kids from overloading on sugar? Read how to tame your child’s sweet tooth.
And get some alternative treats for kids with allergies and diet restrictions.
