Could there be a more quintessential autumn activity than pumpkin picking? Ideal for creepy Halloween carving, delicious desserts, creative curries and even those fabled pumpkin spice lattes, this versatile fruit is a treat for kids and adults alike.
Whether you’re in pursuit of something edible, carvable or mythical, to get the most from your day, we’ve teamed up with mrbonespumpkinpatch.com in Los Angeles to give you these 6 IDEAL tips for pumpkin picking this autumn.
EXPLORE FOLKLORE & FAIRYTALE BEFORE YOU SET OFF
In many parts of the world, we associate pumpkins with Halloween. We carve pumpkins out and illuminate them with a flickering candle, all in the name of creating a spooky but magical atmosphere.
Symbolically, the pumpkin has links to fertility, rebirth, harvests, and crops, and are a perfect fit for a season that contains both Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Speaking of which, Thanksgiving is another time to enjoy the earthy delights that the pumpkin has to offer. It was early in the 18th century that pumpkin pie became a popular dish on the dinner table as Thanksgiving became a much-celebrated New England regional holiday.
In 1705, Colchester, a Connecticut town, would famously postpone Thanksgiving for a week. This was because there was not enough available molasses to create these delectable desserts! This tells us just how symbolic the pumpkin is to Thanksgiving celebrations.
Pumpkins also play a major part in one of the most popular fairytales of them all; Cinderella. In the story, a pumpkin coach was created by the Fairy Godmother to take Cinderella to the ball, and now, the ‘Cinderella Pumpkin’ is a much loved type of pumpkin, with a deep orange colour, fantastic flavour and fairytale appearance!
Before your trip pumpkin picking, why not enjoy a day of exploring the myth and legend surrounding pumpkins to really get in the spirit of things!
IDENTIFYING THE PERFECT PUMPKIN FOR CARVING
Finding the perfect carving pumpkin at the patch is one of the most enjoyable parts of the day out, and can be turned into a game for all the family to enjoy.
The best pumpkins for carving don’t always equate to the best for cooking, that’s for sure, but when choosing one for decorative purposes, there are a few things to look out for:
- Steer clear of bruised pumpkins, which suggest the pumpkin is already on its way out and may collapse when cut into.
- A smooth, unblemished surface indicates a healthy, carvable pumpkin.
- Give your pumpkin a good knock. If it’s hollow, that means it’s ripe. Hooray!
- Prioritise pumpkins with a deep orange colour, which shows they’re healthy and also looks more pleasing on your doorstep or in the window.
- Make sure the base of the pumpkin is flat – otherwise, you may lose it as it rolls away into the street!
- Both the bottom and the stem should be sturdy, not mushy.
And if you really can’t decide, instead of using ‘eeny meeny miny moe’, use bibbity bobbity boo!
HOW TO PREVENT YOUR PUMPKIN FROM ROTTING
It’s such a shame when your carefully selected, intricately carved pumpkin begins to rot prematurely. It’s therefore essential that you wait until just a couple of days before Halloween to carve yours.
There are other ways to ensure your pumpkin’s longevity, too:
- Pumpkins tend to shrivel and lose their vivacious appearance because of a lack of moisture. A daily spritz of water mixed with bleach will help rehydrate it.
- Whilst it might feel like a faff, moving your pumpkin to the fridge each night will ensure longevity.
- Though proper candles look great, the warmth they give off has a detrimental effect on your pumpkin’s condition, essentially cooking it from the inside. Instead, use battery powered or electric candles.
- Prior to carving, clean your pumpkin’s inside with a mixture of water and bleach (5 litres to 3 tablespoons). This will disinfect it. Of course, don’t eat your pumpkin after doing this.
Read: 10 IDEAL beauty benefits of pumpkins
COMPETITIVE CARVING
Let’s discuss carving technique next. A serrated knife is ideal for carving pumpkins to create different shapes and faces whilst a small saw should prove useful to create intricate designs. It is best not to cut on a slant but up and down for a cleaner result.
It’s not advisable to let the kids use these tools unsupervised. Carve the pumpkin on behalf of your child or allow them to do it under supervision.
Turn the carving into a game, with points or prizes awarded for the most inventive, intricate design. You could also award prizes for those who manage to get their pumpkin to last the longest, which introduces an educational element about food waste into the fun and frivolity!
If you have kids and need some alternative pumpkin decoration ideas that don’t include a knife, check out our article on child safe alternative pumpkin decorating ideas.
COOKING WITH PUMPKINS
As HuffPost explains, “The best pumpkins for carving jack-o’-lanterns around Halloween aren’t ideal for cooking and eating”. The article continues to explain that “Carving pumpkins tend to have thinner walls that are more stringy, grainy and woody in texture ― which unfortunately doesn’t taste very good.”
The problem here is waste. Wales Online reports that around 18,000 tonnes of edible pumpkin ends up in the bin after October 31 in the UK alone. But it shouldn’t have to be this way; pumpkins contain many vitamins and minerals. These include vitamins A, B2, C, and E. Also, the minerals copper, iron, manganese, and potassium. Because pumpkins are high in lutein and zeaxanthin, they help prevent cataracts from forming and reduce muscular degeneration.
That said, pumpkins picked from the patch do tend to need some serious work to make them taste nice. If you’re going to cook with your pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, turning it into a soup or puree is a good idea, texturally. Lots of big, bold flavourings and spices will improve the taste, too.
If you’re keen to cook something properly delicious, types of pumpkin known for their superb flavour and texture include the Crown Prince, the aforementioned Cinderella, the Delicata, and our absolute favourite, the Kabocha squash.
Many dishes or drinks can be created using pumpkins and squash. For instance, you can eat pumpkin lasagne, have pumpkin butter, snack on the roasted seeds, or drink a pumpkin smoothie or even pumpkin cocktails.
Check out our article on 5 IDEAL pumpkin recipes for autumn we hope you’ll love as much as us for some great ideas for your dinner.
COMPOST YOUR PUMPKIN
As mentioned, a lot of pumpkins are wasted each year. After you’ve carved yours and you’ve got as much autumnal feels out of it as is physically possible, be sure to compost the excess elements of your pumpkin in the same way you would other uncooked fruit and veg.
If you don’t have a council provided caddy bin, then check out community composting schemes in your local area. Some local farmer’s markets also offer a collection service for organic waste.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Whether they’re bringing nutritional, educational or traditional value, or simply providing the family with a focus for Halloween or Thanksgiving, the pumpkin is one of the world’s most beloved foodstuffs.