 Nevada
County Podcast
October 27, 2009
Pumpkin Carving Basics (3:36 minutes)
Audio/Video Script:
Christie Wagley
County Extension Agent - Family and Consumer Sciences
[Title Slide] Pumpkin Carving Basics, Christie Wagley,
County Extension Agent, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service.
Picture of a jack-o'-lantern.
[Picture of various size pumpkins] For many of us, fall just wouldn't be complete without jack-o'-lanterns. Here's a few simple tips to help you safely transform your ordinary pumpkin
into a jack-o'-lantern masterpiece.
[Picture of a pumpkin] Start by choosing an unblemished pumpkin with a flat bottom.
Some thought as to what you want your finished jack-o'-lantern to look like
is important, as the shape and size of the design you choose will dictate the
shape and size of pumpkin you need.
For children carving their own jack-o'-lanterns, softer, light skinned
pumpkins should chosen.
[Picture of a pumpkin sitting on newspaper] Cover your workspace with old newspapers. Locate a sturdy chair to sit in
while carving.
[Picture of a pumpkin with an outline drawn on the top] Draw an outline on the top of your pumpkin to act as a guide when you cut out
the lid. Six sided lids with a "tooth" shaped out-cropping work well. The tooth
shape allows for an easy match-up when replacing the lid.
[Picture of a pumpkin with the top cut out and being removed] Use a kitchen knife to cut the lid out, angling your cut so that there will
be a ledge left inside the pumpkin for the lid to rest on when replaced. This
task should be performed by an adult.
[Picture of showing lid removed from the pumpkin and someone scraping seeds
from the inside] Remove the lid and set aside. Using a spoon, a scraper from a
pumpkin- carving kit, or your hand, clean out the inside of the pumpkin. Remove
all seeds and strings.
[Picture of showing pumpkin on newspaper with lid removed] Wipe any mess off
the exterior of the pumpkin.
[Picture of showing pumpkin with a paper stencil taped on it and a smaller
pumpkin with a face drawn on it] Draw your design directly onto the pumpkin,
using a dark colored permanent marker. Alternatively, you can tape a design onto
the pumpkin using scotch tape. Design books can be purchased in most stores
selling Halloween items. These patterns can be made to fit the size of your
pumpkin, by enlarging or shrinking the design on a copier.
[Picture of showing pumpkin with a paper stencil taped on it and a pounce
wheel to trace the design.] Trace around the design using a pounce wheel. This
produces a tiny trail of puncture marks. The puncture marks will decrease the
amount of effort needed for carving as well as provide a pattern to follow while
carving, if you did not use a permanent marker to mark your design. Remove any
paper patterns and tape from the pumpkin prior to carving. Pounce wheels are
available in sewing supply stores, or in pumpkin-carving kits.
[Picture of showing someone sitting down in a chair holding a pumpkin and
beginning to carve] To begin carving your jack-o'-lantern, sit
in a sturdy chair with the pumpkin in your lap. Begin carving your design from the center of the pumpkin outwards, using either a
kitchen knife or a safety saw available in pumpkin carving kits. Safety saws are
a good option for children carving their own pumpkins. Safety saws work best
when using an up and down motion, similar to a sewing machine needle.
[Picture of completed jack-o'-lantern with the design of a ghost.] After carving , use your hand to lightly punch out the carved sections of the
pumpkin from the inside out. Final details can be mastered using a punch or drill from a pumpkin carving
kit.
[Picture of a candle in a candle holder.] Jack-o'-lanterns can be displayed with or without using candles. If candles are used, only adults should light the candles. Candles should be
secured in a candle holder designed for use inside a pumpkin, to avoid the
possibility of tipping over.
[Picture of a candle in a spring type candle holder.] This type of holder has a spring-like design that "screws" into the flesh of
the pumpkin on the bottom.
[Picture of someone putting petroleum jelly inside of a pumpkin.] There are several steps you can take to preserve your jack-o'-lantern. Coat the cut surfaces of your jack-o'-lantern with a light
coat of petroleum jelly. Then, each evening, after extinguishing your candle,
wrap your jack-o'-lantern in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.
[Slide - Contact Nevada County Extension Office 870-887-2818, U of A
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Drawing of the outline of Nevada
County.] For more information, contact the your local county extension office.
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