Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater,
Had a wife and couldn't keep her.
He put her in a pumpkin shell
And there he kept her very well.
        (repeat)
 

Pumpkin Care and Carving Tips

When selecting a pumpkin, choose one that is ripe,
and has no bruises, cuts or nicks.
 

Don't carry a pumpkin by its stem; it may break

Don't bruise the pumpkin or it will not last as long.

Instead of cutting off the top of the pumpkin to remove the
seeds try cutting off the bottom. This will allow the pumpkin
to sit up straight and make removing the seeds easier.

When cleaning out the pumpkin, use an old soup
ladle to scoop out the seeds. See how to roast
them for your enjoyment. CLICK HERE.
 

Try carving a giant pumpkin. They are much easier to
carve than regular pumpkins.

Use bold simple features for the face.

Use a marker to draw a face on your pumpkin before you carve it;
or you can use one of the many Templates available on the Net &
pin the template to the Front of the PUMPKIN.  Some links for
templates  will be listed at the bottom of this page.
 
 

Try carving a word into the mouth of the pumpkin,
for example, carve the word " B 0 0 " in the mouth
of your pumpkin.
 
 

STEPS TO CARVE THE BEST EVER PUMPKIN
 
 

      STEP ONE:
Don't try to cut a perfectly round top. Chances are,you won't be able
to it will just fall in! Instead, draw a six sided lid (hexagon) on top of your
pumpkin or a star like pictured BELOW.

 Another method which works  for
 a pumpkins that won't stand up straight, is to cut off the bottom
instead of the top.   Place the pumpkin in a small pot or bowl, and adjust
                                    it so it stands upright. Mark the pumpkin with a pencil or pen, all
the way around the top of the pot.

 Angle the knife towards the center of the pumpkin,
 making a ledge to support the lid.

 If you're are cutting a bottom, cut straight into the pumpkin, and
 discard it. Set the pumpkin over a candle or electric light.

STEP TWO:

Use a old Ladle to clean out the seeds and strings. It is
                                   important to scrape the inner wall of the pumpkin, so that it is                         
no more then an 1 inch thick. You can check the thickness with a pin or poker.
This process usually  take 15-20 minutes.

STEP THREE:
 
 

 If using a template trim away the excess paper from the pattern with scissors.
Attach  the pattern to the pumpkin with tape or straight pins.

                       Using the Poker or a awe, poke holes about 1/16" to 1/8" apart along design lines.
Do not push poker all the way into the pumpkin. Use just
the tip to poke through the  paper and outer pumpkin skin. Check to see that all
                                   the lines have been transferred, then remove the  template.
The more detailed the design, the closer together the dots should be.
This process can take  up to 30 minutes. If not using a template
carefully draw your design you wish to carve into the pumpkin directly onto it.

 Carefully Cut through the pumpkin with a sharp knife. Push the  very tip
of the knife through the pumpkin skin.
 Then hold the knife near the end and, with gentle
 pressure, begin turning the knife into the
 pumpkin. Keeping it  at a 90 degree angle,
 grasp the handle and continue turning until the
 hole is complete.

It is BEST however to Cut the design with the All Purpose Saw or Detail
   Saw(avail in kit form at most grocery stores, this time of yr.).
Holding the pumpkin in your lap, push   the blade into pumpkin or, if necessary,
rock it gently forward and back to insert it. Saw steadily with a
 continuous up-and-down motion. Only gentle forward pressure
is needed. Depending on the  complexity of the design, this step may take
30-45  minutes.

STEP FOUR:

Before placing a candle inside, first cut a hole in the bottom, the same
                        diameter (size) of the candle.
                        If you have cut the bottom off, then all you need to do is
                        place a candle on a plate, and set your lantern over it.

                        One last step before you are done. How many times has your
                        pumpkin turned to mush, or the lid has fallen inside? That's because
                        you've actually cooked your pumpkin from the inside out! Using the
                        awe or another sharp pointed object  vent hole in the top (or lid) of
                        your pumpkin. This will allow most of the heat to escape and make
                        your PUMPKIN last much longer.

NOW TAKE A BOW, LOOK AT HOW NICE YOUR PUMPKIN TURNED OUT
With only 4 SIMPLE steps.

 

PUMPKIN FACTS & TRIVIA

Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.

Pumpkins are used for feed for animals.

Pumpkin flowers are edible. See Recipe Below.

Pumpkins are used to make soups, pies and breads.

  Pumpkins are members of the vine crops family called cucurbits.

Pumpkins originated in Central America.

In early colonial times, pumpkins were used as an ingredient for the
crust of pies, not the filling.

Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and curing
snake bites.

  Pumpkins range in size from less than a pound to over 1,000 pounds.

The name pumpkin originated from "pepon" – the Greek word for "large
           melon."

The Connecticut field variety is the traditional American pumpkin.

Pumpkins are 90 percent water.

Eighty percent of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available
in October.

In colonial times, Native Americans roasted long strips of pumpkin in
an open fire.

  Colonists sliced off pumpkin tips; removed seeds and filled the insides with
           milk, spices and honey. This was baked in hot ashes and is the origin of
           pumpkin pie.

  Native Americans flattened strips of pumpkins, dried them and made mats.

Native Americans called pumpkins "isqoutm squash."

Native Americans used pumpkin seeds for food and medicine.

Pumpkins are grown all over the world on six of the seven continents, with
Antarctica being the exception. They are even grown in Alaska.

The self proclaimed "Pumpkin Capital of the World" is Morton, Illinois
where Libby has it's pumpkin industry and plant.

The largest Pumpkin, and the current world's record is 1,092 pounds
grown by   Gary Burke of Simcoe, Ontario and was entered in the
Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada weigh-off. Second largest weighed in at at 1056 pounds
 in a contest in Ohio on September 26, 1998.   Both these records were set in 1998.
 

BELOW ARE A FEW GOOD LINKS THAT I HAVE FOUND
with Information on more then you ever dreamed possible on PUMPKINS!

FOR TEMPLATES TRY THE FOLLOWING:
to visit the sites, highlight the line and copy & paste it into your browser.

http://byroads.com/magazine/pumpkins/patterns.html

http://www.thepumpkinfarm.com/carvemenu.html

http://www.hauntedhome.com/theHouse/index.htm
 

FOR FUN & KNOWLEDGE CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING:

http://www.thepumpkinfarm

http://www.rats2u.com/halloween/halloween_jackolantern.htm

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