With a name like Jack O'Lantern, I bet you could guess who brought the tradition of carving them to the U.S. and you would be right, it was the Irish! Did you know the original Jack O'Lantern was not a pumpkin? Pumpkins didn't exist in Ireland, so the Irish carved turnips on All Hallow's Eve, and placed an ember in them, to ward off evil spirits.
Since we don't want tricks, we want treats.. the tradition continues here in the good old U.S. My best guess is that since it's a fun tradition to pass on to generation to generation, that doesn't hurt either..
I think I can say this.. if you don't receive sainthood for this in Heaven, you certainly will in the they eyes of some little one you share this fun afternoon with!
Notes for carving:
I like to start with a quick vinegar bath. I started using little trick just a couple of years ago and I've noticed that not only does this make them bright orange and lovely, it seems to make them last a tad longer. After I towel them off, I begin with cutting off their top.
Some people despise the scraping out of the seeds, but I love it! I roast the pumpkin seeds as I'm carving so I'll have a fabulous little treat when I'm all done.
Side tip for pumpkin seeds if you decide you'd like to join in my tradition... line the drain of your sink with a little cheesecloth, put the stopper in, then throw all the pumpkin gush in. Fill with water and your pumpkin seeds will rise to the top!
Scoop them out, take out the stopper. The water seeps through the cheesecloth, but the leftover gush is very easy to scoop out and dispose of.
So I digress.. back to the pumpkin carving fun.
Seriously consider buying one of these little pumpkin carving kits.
They are available at pretty much any grocery store or arts and craft supply and make this task a million times easier.
If you want something a bit fancier than the usual triangle eyes, nose and mouth, consider printing off a template. The kits comes with them, but there are thousands of templates available for free online. A quick google search and I promise you'll hit pay dirt.
The only real tips I have for carving are this... if you are using a template, tape it to the pumpkin. Use a needle or tool from the kit to outline the design. When you remove the paper, you'll be able to see the holes along the lines you should cut. Use a sawing motion and a small knife or tool from the kit. Go slow and if you mess up, go with it! Jack O'lanterns are not meant to be perfect. They are meant to be fun!!
When you are finished, put in a candle. Slap your friend or family member a high five and dive into those pumpkin seeds.
Here's our results. Not perfect by any means, but certainly a fun family afternoon.
Happy carving to you! I hope you have very Happy Halloween, my friends!
