Top 10: pumpkin carving tips

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Posted at 12:02PM, 25 October 2011 by Roxanne Fisher - Writer/Sub-editor, bbcgoodfood.com

However you choose to celebrate 31st October, there is one tradition that will generally precede all festivities. The self-carved Jack o'lantern is something of a Halloween pin-up, but how will you make yours stand out from the crowd? Our simple four-step guide will get you started, but here are our top 10 tips for giving your pumpkin a touch of magic...

How will you make yours stand out from the crowd?

1. Choose your pumpkin wisely. The lines on the skin could be a witch's wrinkles while a misshapen squash could provide a devilishly different canvas.

2. Use a template to perfect your spooky design. Create your own or find inspiration from the many websites dedicated to pumpkin prettying. Secure your chosen style to the front of your pumpkin and carefully trace the image by poking holes along the lines. Once finished remove the template and gently carve. Voilà!

3. Create some eerie shadows by carving another pattern into the back of your pumpkin. Place next to a wall, light from the inside and watch your design come to life.

4. Put some flame-retardant coloured tissue paper just behind the front face of your pumpkin to create a coloured filter. Make sure you're lighting your pumpkin with a torch rather than a naked flame though!

5. Try shaving parts of your pumpkin rather than cutting all the way through. This will give your design a two-tone effect and add depth.

6. Use everyday items from around the house to bring your pumpkin to life. Create a face from nuts and bolts, use white reflective tape as bandages or simply chop off the top and add flowers for your own spooky vase!

7. Painting your pumpkin can work wonderfully, especially if you want to keep little hands away from sharp objects. They'll also look great in the daytime. Either paint on a design or use to add accents to an already carved squash.

8. Shun the traditional orange pumpkin for a ghoulish green variety... or why not try your hand at transforming a watermelon? The process is the same but it will certainly make your neighbours look twice!

9. Make your pumpkin shine from the inside out. Use multicoloured Christmas lights to add a new dimension to simple styles or try a red bicycle light, set to flash, for a really sinister touch.

10. Funny faces and ghoulish grins not your thing? Try making simple shapes like stars or spooky creatures with cookie cutters or use an apple corer or drill bits to add polka dots for a more grown-up pumpkin.

Wondering what to do with the leftovers of your creation? Put them to good use in our perfect pumpkin recipes

What are your top pumpkin carving tips?

Always take care when using sharp objects and open flames and always use electrical appliances in line with manufacturer's instructions

Comments

sam4027

26 October 2011, 9:57PM
sam4027

Can you use the seeds to 'boost your brain' in another article on your website, or are those a different kind pumpkin seeds? I have three to carve and thought i would make soup with the flesh but sounds like I could get some benifit from the seeds as well. Thanks.

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clumsycook

27 October 2011, 4:19PM
clumsycook

The polka dot ones are a cute idea!

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Clare

28 October 2011, 12:15PM
Clare

yes, like sam4027 I would like to know if the pumpkin seeds I throw away are the same as the ones I buy in pricy little packets in the health food shop.

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woods13980

28 October 2011, 2:31PM
woods13980

yes they are, you just need to roast them in an oven with some olive oil (see link below): http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/toasted_pumpkin_seeds/

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