Bear Creek Plantation October 2017

How to Carve
A Pumpkin
When it comes to pumpkin carving, the idea is to have fun. We’ve
got tips on carving the best pumpkin, as well as how to pick a good
pumpkin for carving!
HOW TO PICK A GOOD PUMPKIN FOR CARVING
Look for one that is a little misshapen. Inspect it for soft spots (especially
the end opposite the stem). Reject a pumpkin that has soft spots, they
will cause it to deteriorate quickly. Remember, your pumpkin doesn’t
have to sit on its base, in fact, that’s often its weakest spot.
Let the pumpkin guide the shape of the face: An elongated pumpkin
should have an elongated face. A fat and happy pumpkin should have
a fat and happy face.
HOLLOW OR WHOLE?
There are two reasons for hollowing: (1) If the inside is going to be
exposed (through the mouth, etc.), it looks better if it is hollowed
neatly. (2) If you plan to light the pumpkin from the inside, it must be
hollow. You can hollow it out from a hole in the back instead of the top,
so that the look of the face isn’t affected. If you’re illuminating with a
candle, you need to hollow from the top to allow the heat and smoke
to escape.
THE TOOLS
Use a water-based marker to outline the face that you want to carve.
First, draw a line down the center to establish symmetry. Then sketch
the nose, the approximate center of the face. Once you’re satisfied with
the details, trace over the lines using a permanent marker. For carving,
basic kitchen implements, such as a paring knife or a steak knife with
a standard - not serrated - blade that’s not going to bend, work well.
You can also use a standard jigsaw blade. Otherwise, improvise: Use a
melon-ball cutter to make circles, for example.
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MAKE A FACE
To achieve a three-dimensional appearance, carve the entire pumpkin.
Exaggerate the features. (If you aren’t sure what teeth really look like or
how the gum line works, smile and look in the mirror.) If the pumpkin is
frowning, carve wrinkles under the mouth. To add character, carve a lot
of “crow’s feet” lines around the eyes. Consider using the stem as the
nose and inserts such as radishes for the eyes or cut eyeballs from the
back of the pumpkin and hold them in place with toothpicks.
CARVE WITH CARE
Use two hands at all times: one to control the blade and the other to
control the pressure with which you cut (and thus the depth). Take care
not to jab the blade into the pumpkin; you don’t want to cut all the
way through the rind - except to determine its depth. The thickness of
the rind will vary, not only from pumpkin to pumpkin, but also within
one pumpkin. To determine your pumpkin’s average depth, cut a
core sample where you want an eye or a nostril to be. Keep that piece
nearby as a reminder of how deep you can safely cut.
ENJOY IT WHILE IT LASTS
Pumpkins, which are actually a fruit, not a vegetable, are 90 percent
water, so after carving they usually last only three days to a week. A
jack-o’-lantern with a surface carving will last longer than one that
is cut all the way through. Putting a candle or other light inside will
shorten its life span, as the heat that results can “cook” the pumpkin
and reduce its longevity to a matter of hours. For a bright, shiny finish,
spray Armor All on the pumpkin and rub it in. Paint will not preserve a
pumpkin. However, if you decide to paint your pumpkin for decoration,
use a water-based latex paint and wait at least an hour after carving
so that the cuts you have made in the pumpkin have a chance to dry.
Source: www.almanac.com
October 2017 | Bear Creek Plantation