Picking the Perfect Pumpkin
I love going to the pumpkin patch on a cool Fall day with a hot cup of apple cider in my hand. Walking between the pumpkins, still on the vines, makes me feel like a farmer. I'm most at home in a garden with dirt under my nails and harvesting crops. This picture was from our vacation in Kennebunk, Maine. We found a lovely little farm and the beautiful Fall colors, called to me and I had to stop.
Some find my way of picking a pumpkin a little crazy but I guess that's just me. I like to hold the pumpkin, tap on it and see if it speaks to me. No, not literally, but if I get a nice hollow sound when I tap on it, I know it's ready. Turns out that's not crazy at all, but recommended by the experts.
Not all pumpkins are the same, for example, sugar pumpkins are sweeter and used for baking. The sugar pumpkin is round and has a deep orange skin that makes it perfect for roasting.
To roast a fresh pumpkin, remove the stem and cut the pumpkin in half. Scoop out the seeds and place them face down on a baking sheet. Roast in a low oven of 300 degrees for approximately 60 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender. Allow cooling completely before you puree it.
This pumpkin can replace any recipe that calls for butternut squash. Try roasting a sugar pumpkin and serve with fiery chili oil and roasted pumpkin seeds.
The Old Farmer's Almanac recommends the following when picking a pumpkin for carving:
Look for a pumpkin that has a deep orange color.
Knock to check that the pumpkin is hollow. (see, I'm not crazy!)
Make sure the bottom of the pumpkin isn’t soft and mushy! Also, the bottom should be flat so it doesn’t roll.
Check that the stem is firm and secure. Never pick a pumpkin up from the stem! It may break, which leads to faster decay.
Avoid bruised pumpkins and look for a smooth surface if you’re carving. It will be much easier!
We have a tradition in our house, the night we are going to carve our pumpkin, we have a contest to see who can create the face for our pumpkin. Every year I sit there holding the pencil, looking at the blank sheet of paper and wish I learned how to draw.
The scary Jack-o-Lantern always wins the contest for the best pumpkin. The goal is to have the light inside bright enough to be seen yet not too bright that it takes away from the design. I'm old fashion and still like putting a wax candle inside but there are great pumpkin lights available at the store.
Let's look at how to harvest the perfect pumpkin. Some would say just walk up to it and hack it with a knife to get it off the vine. I shiver at that thought and think that's a violent act against nature.
Here's the best way to find your pumpkin:
Your best bet is to harvest pumpkins when they are mature. They will keep best this way. Do not pick pumpkins off the vine because they have reached your desired size. If you want small pumpkins, buy a small variety.
If you are harvesting your own pumpkin, harvest on a dry day after the plants have died back and the skins are hard.
To slow the decay, leave an inch or two of stem on pumpkins and winter squash when harvesting them
Store your pumpkin in a cool place out of direct sunlight
Also, you can clean the inside of your gutted pumpkin. Give it a bleach-water bath after you carve it. Apply petroleum jelly on all carved surfaces. The occlusive dressing from the petroleum jelly will stop the air from making your pumpkin decay. Re-hydrate the pumpkin daily - yes, take a mister or spray bottle to your carved pumpkin. By making a solution of 1 part vodka to 2 parts water will make your pumpkin stay longer and woodland friends a little tipsy. Really, the alcohol will help keep insects from feasting on your pumpkin.
No matter what design you choose to carve on your pumpkin, I'm sure it will be booootiful.
Post pictures of your pumpkins, let's celebrate soon-to-be October together.