Guide to Carving your Pumpkins

Pumpkin carving is one of those iconic Halloween traditions, like bobbing for apples or dressing your dog up as a hot dog. It’s messy, creative, and guaranteed fun for kids and adults alike. Whether you’re carving a creepy ghoul, a goofy grin, or something totally unexpected, it’s a brilliant way to get into the Halloween spirit. So grab your squash, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get carving.

What You’ll Need:

1 large serrated knife (for the big cuts)
1 small sharp knife (for detail)
1 large spoon (for scooping)
1 marker pen (for sketching your spooky design)
1 lemon juice (trust us)
2 tealights (for that eerie glow)
(Optional) Templates and sticky tape
Newspaper or bin bags to cover your surface

Let’s Carve

Put your pumpkin on a sturdy, flat surface. Things are going to get juicy, so cover your table or do this outside. Light some candles, put on a spooky playlist, and get in the Halloween mood.
Use the large serrated knife to carefully cut a circle around the top of your pumpkin, also known as the crown. Angle the knife slightly inward so the lid doesn’t fall inside later. Pull it off and set it aside. This will be your pumpkin’s hat.
Now the real fun begins. Use your spoon to scoop out all the stringy, slimy guts. Scrape down the sides until they’re about 1 to 2 inches thick, or go thinner (about 1 cm) for easier carving and more flesh to use later. Keep the pulp and seeds. We’ve got delicious ideas for them coming up.
Time to get creative. Use your marker to draw a face, scary, silly, or stylish. If you’re using a printed template, tape it on and poke little holes along the lines with your small knife to mark your pattern.
Use your small, sharp knife to carve your masterpiece. Take your time. Precision makes all the difference. If a piece falls off, don’t panic. Toothpicks can work mini-miracles.
Dab a bit of lemon juice on the carved edges. This slows down browning and keeps your creation looking fresher for longer. If you’re carving a few days early, pop your pumpkin in the fridge overnight or soak it in cold water for an hour each day.
Pop a couple of tealights inside, or use battery-powered ones if kids are involved, replace the crown, and place your Jack O' Lantern proudly in your window. Spooky perfection.

What to Do With the Leftovers

You’ve scooped, scraped, and carved. Now you’ve got a big bowl of pumpkin guts, but don’t toss them. That orange goo is gold. Here’s what you can do with it:

Make Some Soup
Autumn is soup season. Roast your pumpkin bits with a little butternut squash. Sauté some onion and garlic, then blend it all up with vegetable stock or coconut milk and your favourite spices like chilli, paprika, turmeric, or cumin. Swirl in some cream and sprinkle roasted seeds on top for a warming treat.

Create a Delicious Broth
Simmer your leftover pumpkin with onion, carrot, and whatever else is lurking in your fridge or pantry for about an hour. Strain it, freeze it, and you'll have homemade broth ready for risottos, stews, and sauces.

Roast the Seeds
Rinse the seeds, toss them in olive oil and seasoning such as sea salt, chilli powder, or cinnamon sugar, then roast for about ten minutes at 180°C or 350°F. Let them cool and snack away.

Bake Something Tasty
Pumpkin is perfect for baking. Try pumpkin muffins topped with oats and seeds, a spiced loaf with butter, or classic pumpkin pie with whipped cream. There are plenty of recipes online, so pick a favourite and give it a go.

Make a Pumpkin Sugar Scrub
Pumpkin is full of skin-loving nutrients like enzymes and antioxidants, plus vitamins A, B, C, and E. Puree your leftover bits, mix with sugar, a bit of olive or almond oil, and cinnamon. You’ve just made a luxurious exfoliating scrub or a thoughtful homemade gift.

Grow Your Own Pumpkins
Save some seeds, rinse them well, and dry on a paper towel for about a week. Store in a cool, dry place and plant in the spring. By next Halloween, you could be carving a homegrown Jack O' Lantern.

So there you have it - your complete, no-waste, pumpkin carving adventure! Whether you're in it for the spooky vibes, the messy fun, or the delicious aftermath, Halloween just wouldn't be the same without that glowing gourd on your doorstep.