Pumpkin carving 4 Halloween.....?

Question

I love to carve jack o' lanterns for Halloween, but my pumpkins never last long. Is there a way to extend the life of my carved pumpkin?

Answer 1

Yes, try this:

http://www.pumpkinfresh.com/

However, my suggestion is you buy "Funkins" and carve them instead, then you can use them year after year. I have over fifty and I will add another 25 to 30 to my display this year. My goal is to get to 100, though.

http://www.funkins.com/

Answer 2

Put the pumpkin in a wash tub of cold water.

If the pumpkin is carved, put the carved part face down. Let the pumpkin float, and let the insides fill with water. The pumpkin will absorb the water and become very firm.

If you have fine detail work to do, you may want to let your pumpkin soak over night. This will firm up the pumpkin flesh and allow you to do intricate carving.

For long term storage, put a thin amount of petroleum jelly on the exposed, sawed edges. This prevents water from getting out. If water gets out, your pumpkin will shrivel. Anytime your pumpkin shrivels, soak it in a bath of cold water for one to eight hours, longer is better. Over night doesn't hurt.

Putting a little unscented Clorox bleach in the water will prevent your pumpkin from prematurely molding by killing off evil pumpkin germs.

Use a plant mister to spray your pumpkin and keep it moist. If you put it in plastic wrap to hold the water in and place it in the refrigerator, not the freezer, you can keep the pumpkin looking good for a long, long time.

Once you remove a wet pumpkin for display, you should immediately dry it off. This prevents mold from having a chance to grow.

Answer 3

Well, I've already been beaten to on the tub of water. Pumpkins need to be well hydrated once you carve them cause all that open flesh gives plenty of space to let the moisture in the flesh evaporate from.

Answer 4

I agree with the first person.
this is what I do.
carve my pumpkins, soak them over night, rub a mixture of lemon juice and water all over and in side and then add a thin layer of Vaseline to all cut surfaces and some on the inside. My pumpkins last for weeks.