8 pro tips for carving the perfect pumpkin
The cinnamon trick is pure genius
The cinnamon trick is pure genius
The cinnamon trick is pure genius
It's not just about making those cut-outs extra crisp. These expert carving tricks will have your gourds both looking and smelling(!) good the entire trick-or-treating season. Plus, try our !
1. Good carving starts with the right pumpkin.
Choose one that is fresh, with a sturdy stem, no bruises and 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 when you replace it. A works best for this.
3. Scoop out all the pulp — and then some.
You can , but an will do just fine. Thin the inner wall of the "face" area to 1 ¼-inch thick, so it will be easier to pierce the shell.
4. Hold the pumpkin in your lap.
It's easier to carve features when the face is gazing up at you. And don't cut on a slant — clean up-and-down slices look best. To , try using a small saw. You can get a with a marker, scraper, cutting tools and 10 patterns on for only $5.
5. Use your scraps creatively.
Make a tongue out of a discarded piece of pumpkin shell, for example.
6. Keep your pumpkin fresh.
Spread on the cut edges to seal in moisture. If your pumpkin still shrivels a few days later, you can revive it with a facedown soak in cold water for up to eight hours.
7. Create a chimney.
First, leave the lid on for a few minutes while the burns. Then make a small hole where the lid has blackened. Or, save yourself the stress and go with instead.
8. Sprinkle a little cinnamon inside the lid.
When you light the candle, your jack-o'-lantern will smell like a .