ISSUE 1: A Carved Pumpkin For One, a Carved Pumpkin For All

Who knew a big orange vegetable could do so much?

The+official+Knight+Writers+pumpkin.

Photo Keirra McGoldrick

The official Knight Writers pumpkin.

Keirra McGoldrick, Opinion Editor

No matter where you live, jack-o-lanterns are a staple part of any Autumn experience. Picking up a giant orange ball from the grocery store or at a stand on the side of the road with a giant sign labeled, “Pumpkin Patch” it’s a magical feeling to say the least.

The task of actually carving said pumpkin, however, is not for the weak. It starts with searching the internet for a design to cut into the big orange vegetable. It’s then time to pick the perfect pumpkin for carving.

The Kitchn’s, Allison Russo’s number one tip is to “pick it up and tap it: It should feel sturdy. When you tap it, you should hear a hollow sound.”

Once the perfect pumpkin is chosen, it’s time to gut it. Start by carving a circle around the stem that’s large enough to be able to scoop out all the seeds. Scrape the edges of the pumpkin to get all the stringy pumpkin inners and seeds out, but don’t throw them away. They can be used later.

When the pumpkin is officially hollow and no seeds remain, sketch the chosen design and start carving. Get a knife that can easily be found in any nearby kitchen and go with the lines of the sketch. When the beautiful jack-o-lantern is formed, put a candle in it and put the top back on.

Now what? The leftover seeds can easily be separated from the “meat” of the pumpkin and turned into a tasty and healthy snack.

“Toss them with a mix of olive oil and savory spices from curry powder to cayenne pepper and roast them to create the ultimate…snack,” said Sheela Prakash of Epicurious.

Sadly, carved pumpkins don’t last long, only an average of three to five, but can last up to a week or two depending on climate, sunlight exposure and temperature. In this treacherous, Floridian weather, a typical pumpkin outside would probably last maximum of four days. After the beloved pumpkin had reached its last breath, instead of just throwing it away, repurpose it.

“…they [rotten pumpkins] are the perfect addition to any compost pile—just make sure to remove any decorations first, such as candles or ribbons.” Sophie Hirsh of Green Matters

Let this become a cycle. Keep getting and carving pumpkins and then compost them. Don’t just stop at one pumpkin, go crazy with it.