Jack-o-lantern... keep it fresh

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I always hated the fact that 2 days after I carved my pumpkins for Halloween they started going soft and getting spongy. I was told that if you put a Clorox/Water mixture over the “meat” of the pumpkin after you carve it, the pumpkin will last 2-3 days longer. I’m going to try it this year and see if it works. Anyone got any other suggestions?

I also found some really cool stencils for pumpkin carvings. I’m going to try a couple of them. I hope they turn out alright. We bought a giant pumpkin (weighs about 75 pounds!!) and we’re thinking about carving “Happy Halloween” in it. I’m just not looking forward to trying to scoop out the insides.

2

I have read that submerging carved pumpkins in cold water (between lightings) will help prolong their freshness. Can’t provide a site (Better Homes & Gardens, maybe). I’ve been too lazy to try it. :slight_smile:

BTW, we do the intricate pumpkin carving every year. It’s a lot of hard work and I say every year that I won’t do it again next year but, every year we do one (or two!). They just look so awesome.

3

I used the dunking in cold water once a day last year.And i could have kept that sucker on the windowsill till Thanksgiving if i wasn’t so lazy.Those stencils are cool but do take some time.

4

Moving this to MPSIMS.

5

See the GQ thread Fresh jack o’ lanterns