How to carve a pumpkin
Step one/Credit:AJC
Halloween is coming, and I’m already seeing goofy costumes and tacky decor in local drug and grocery stores. I love it. It’s the only time of year when it’s absolutely acceptable to be tacky. Plus I’m a sucker for candy corn. Here’s a how-to on pumpkin carving that originally appeared in the AJC’s food section
Step one: the first cut is the deepest — use a sharp utility or chef’s knife to make that first down ward stroke into the top of your soon-to-be jack-o-lantern.
Step two/credit: AJC
Step two: create a “lid” by slicing off the excess flesh and seeds, then start burrowing out the inside of your pumpkin.
Step 3/credit: AJC
Step three: get the goo out. This is actually one of the most important steps — the cleaner your pumpkin is on the inside, the easier it will be to carve. Once all the flesh and seeds are removed, use a scooping tool to shave the area you’ll be carving down to no more than about one-inch thickness. That way, you’ll be able to cut more intricate designs later.
Step four/credit: AJC
Step four: use a template to trace your design onto your pumkin. Punch holes with a sharp knife or piercing tool. This design is by Alex, then 16, from a cover story pumpkin-carving contest for the AJC’s food section back in 2007.
Step five/credit:AJC
Step five: Now you can carve your pumpkin with ease. Use a carving saw, available in Pumpkin Masters kits for about $5 at craft stores. Wood carving tools can be used for fine definitions.
Happy Halloween/credit:AJC
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15 comments Add your comment
Michelle
October 9th, 2009
12:39 am
Pumpkin carving 101
me
October 12th, 2009
4:06 pm
You need a new hand model. This person’s hands are freakish.
mford
October 12th, 2009
6:03 pm
So “me,” thanks a lot — those are MY hands. But hey, way to keep it nice on the blog.
anglea
October 12th, 2009
9:57 pm
i think you have very nice hands
cynthiamann
October 12th, 2009
10:30 pm
need how to crave punkinnancar baseball highschoolmusic
mford
October 13th, 2009
6:47 am
Thanks “Anglea”
Becky
October 13th, 2009
3:24 pm
mford, as Angela said, your hands are very nice..Maybe you should of had a $70 manicure before you posted pictures..
Rojas
October 13th, 2009
7:33 pm
Thank you. Very simple instructions. I am from a warm weather country. This year I will
be carving my first pumpkin. Your instructions are very helpful.
From reading the other comments I gather that some people are jealous of you…
Becky
October 14th, 2009
10:23 am
@Rojas..Good luck carving your pumpkin..I have never carved one either..
I was laughing at your comment about others being jealous of Meredith..Your right, I think there are some like that..She said the pictures are of her and what makes me jealous of her, is the fact that (for her job) gets to eat a lot of good for you stuff and a lot of not so good for you stuff and LOOK at her waist..That’s enough to make me envy her..Hope all has a great day..
mford
October 14th, 2009
10:48 am
Becky and Rojas: MWAH! Thanks for your support!
Herbert Laws
October 14th, 2009
3:15 pm
“Freaky” hands? Now that is tacky, and a very freaky comment. Jesus!! Welcome to the 21st century, the most mindless era in the history of man. I’ll retire to bedlam.
atlstarter
October 25th, 2009
12:00 pm
Your hands are perfectly fine. Good Lord.
Kevin
October 29th, 2009
11:19 pm
One suggested change to make it easier later. First turn it upside-down and cut the opening on the bottom. This can be in addition to the top or only on bottom. That way you can later lit the whole thing up, set the candle on the base and light it, then set the jack-o-lantern on top if the cut-out base. Much easier to light!
GeorgiaBorn
October 30th, 2009
12:02 am
I heard you should cut a hole in the lid so smoke or heat from the candle can escape. Is that accurate? Anybody?
Halloween safety tips for this (maybe) rainy holiday | Inside Access
October 30th, 2009
10:06 am
[...] It sounds like a bad comedy, but really: make sure costumes are flame retardant and stay away from jack-o-lanterns. (Don’t hurt yourself making one of those, either. Here’s how to carve a pumpkin.) [...]