Using a pumpkin saw—you can find one in any pumpkin carving set—cut a circle around the bottom of the pumpkin that measures at least 4 inches across. Once you complete the cut around the entire circle, gently move the cut piece back and forth to loosen it from the pumpkin. Remove the cut-out piece and discard.
How do you hollow out a pumpkin for soup?
Preparation. Cut the tops off the pumpkins and set aside. Remove the seeds and fibers from the middle of each and discard. Using a sharp knife and a spoon, carefully hollow out the pumpkins.
Do you have to hollow out a pumpkin?
Hollow it out
Remove all of the seeds and stringy flesh from the inside of the pumpkin.
Can I carve a cooking pumpkin?
Yes, you can! But it probably won’t taste as good. You won’t get as much pumpkin out of one of a jack-o-lantern pumpkin as you would a pie pumpkin of the same size. And it will probably have a different flavor.
What is the best day to carve pumpkins?
The later, the better. “Carve no more than three days before Halloween,” Evan recommends. If you plan to celebrate on the weekend before or after Halloween, pick a pumpkin carving date a few days before then. Carve too early, and your pumpkin will scare off trick-or-treaters with its rotten teeth!
What can I use to carve a pumpkin?
For effective pumpkin carving, use a serrated bread knife, a jab saw (used to cut drywall), or a purpose-made serrated knife taken from a pumpkin-carving set. If you do not have a serrated knife, or if you prefer to use a straight-edged blade, opt for a paring knife or a fillet knife.
What’s the best tool to carve a pumpkin?
10 Best Pumpkin Carving Tools
- Dremel Pumpkin Carving Kit. PHOTO: AMAZON.
- Dremel Flex Shaft Attachment. PHOTO: AMAZON.
- Pumpkin Gutter Drill Attachment. PHOTO: AMAZON.
- Pumpkin Masters Power Saw. PHOTO: AMAZON.
- Speedball Linoleum Cutter. PHOTO: AMAZON.
- Saral Transfer Paper.
- Zombie Pumpkins Pro Pumpkin Carving Tool Set.
- Knife Sharpener.
How do you carve a pumpkin without a kit?
Cookie cutters: Metal cookie cutters and other vegetable garnishing tools can come in handy for making patterns. Place your cutter on the pumpkin and gently tap it with a mallet until the cutter scores the flesh. Then you can carve the design out using your regular carving tools.
How much should you hollow out a pumpkin?
Step 1: Cut a Hole in the Bottom of the Pumpkin
Cut a medium-size hole in the bottom of your pumpkin; the hole should be larger than your fist but small enough the cut portion won’t be visible once you stand the pumpkin up.
Should I wash my pumpkin before carving?
But before you get started, make sure all those slimy pumpkin strings have been scraped away from both the inside of the pumpkin and the top. Here’s how to preserve a carved pumpkin: Rinse your pumpkin with water. You’ll want to do this to both the inside and outside.
How do you empty a pumpkin for pie?
Baking Pumpkin
Cut off the stem, then cut the pumpkin in half (from top to bottom). Use a spoon to scrape out any fibers and seeds out of each half. A serrated grapefruit spoon or an ice cream scoop work great for this. Clean and save the seeds for roasting, if you like.
What to do with the inside of a pumpkin after carving?
What to Do With Pumpkin Guts
- Stockpile it for Broth. Food52’s Food Editor, Emma Laperruque, suggests adding a bag of pulp to a stock pile in the fridge or freezer with other vegetable scraps like onion peels and celery butts.
- Purée the Pulp.
- Turn it Into Chutney.
- Make a Creamy Pumpkin Hummus.
What is the difference between a carving pumpkin and a baking pumpkin?
Carving pumpkins typically have a thinner skin, making them easier to carve. They also have less guts inside, which are usually stringier, making them easier to clean. Baking pumpkins — sometimes called sugar pumpkins — are usually smaller and more round in shape.
Can I eat my pumpkin after Halloween?
It’s easy to forget that Halloween pumpkins are edible. Especially after you’ve carved and field-dressed them, having scraped out their innards and cut faces into them so they become jack-o’-lanterns.
How do you hollow out a mini pumpkin?
Use the hobby knife to cut a small circular cutout on the bottom side of the pumpkin. Then, widen out the hole and hollow out the inside of the pumpkin with the mellon baller. Most spoons are too large for this job, but a mellon baller is just right.
How long can you keep a pumpkin before carving?
Before carving: Freshly harvested or store-bought pumpkins can last 1 month at room temperature and 2 to 3 months if stored in a cool, dark, dry place. After carving: Pumpkins only last 3 days to 1 week before rotting, depending on the weather conditions.
How does vinegar prevent pumpkins from rotting?
To keep your pumpkins looking brand-new throughout October, just fill a large tub with 10 parts water and 1 part vinegar. Let the gourds soak for 20-30 minutes in the bath, then pull them out and let them air-dry. Voila!
What kind of knife is best for carving pumpkins?
Small paring knives are great for carving designs into the pumpkin. Pumpkin-carving kits, made specifically for kids or adults, are another good source. Battery-operated, pumpkin-carving knives also make quick work of even intricate designs.
Can you use wood carving tools on a pumpkin?
Or if you want to add tons of detail, a wood carving set has all the tools you’d need for pumpkins and any other project you have on the horizon. This post was updated in August 2021 to include more unexpected pumpkin carving tools.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.