After a fun autumn evening carving pumpkins, it’s disappointing to visit your jack-o’-lantern a few days later and find that the fearsome face you painstakingly carved is suddenly looking more tired than terrifying. Here are some tips to keep your pumpkin looking its scary best for your trick-or-treaters.
Cosmetic treatment. Right after carving, coat all the cut surfaces of the pumpkin with a thin layer of petroleum jelly. This includes the facial features of the jack-o’-lantern, as well as the lid and the insides of the squash. The reason pumpkins shrivel and wilt is because they’ve lost most of their water. The petroleum jelly helps seal in moisture and keep the pumpkin fresh.
Time it right. If you can hold off on the carving party until a day or two before Halloween, your pumpkin should be in great shape for the big night. If you want your gourd grinning on the porch for more than a few nights, keep the pumpkin in a dry, shady place during the day, and put it in your refrigerator at night if you can.
Turn down the flame. The candle burning inside the jack-o’-lantern will drain even more moisture from the pumpkin. Try to keep the length of time the candle is lit each night short.
Keep away the critters. Apply a coat of hot-pepper sauce, cayenne pepper or another unpleasant-to-animals flavor on the outside of the pumpkin.
Moisture is the key. Try soaking the jack o’ lantern overnight in a bucket of water to firm things up if your orange ghoul is looking a bit sad.
Store-bought solutions. Many grocery stores and pumpkin patches sell dips or sprays that promise to extend the life of your jack-o’-lantern. Read the label before you buy – some of them require that you dip the pumpkin every day to be effective.
Sources: pumpkincarving101.com; fabulousfoods.com
