You’ve probably heard it said that the best time to eat pumpkin is during October, but what about when it comes to carving? Is there an ideal window of opportunity to make your jack-o’-lantern or carve a Halloween pumpkin into something more than just a pumpkin?
Well, according to science, the answer is yes. There is, in fact, a very specific time frame during which you should carve your pumpkin.
Pumpkin carvings can be made from any type of pumpkin — pie pumpkins are great for pies and other baked goods, while sugar pumpkins are better suited for soups, stews, and candies. Either way, though, there’s one thing you should keep in mind if you want to get the most out of your pumpkin this year: The optimum time to carve your pumpkin is between Oct. 1 and Nov. 3.
This timeframe is scientifically determined by the length of time it takes for a pumpkin to go bad after its harvest season ends. Pumpkins don’t actually “go bad,” but rather become less flavorful as the day goes on. If you cut them too early, they’ll still taste good, but they won’t have much flavor left. This means if you carve your pumpkin before the optimum time has passed, you risk losing all of its sweetness (and possibly some of its flavor).
On the flip side, if you wait too long, you may find yourself with a pumpkin full of mold, water, and other bugs.
The ideal time to carve your pumpkin, then, is somewhere in the middle. You will likely lose some of the sugar that makes your pumpkin so sweet, but at least you won’t be eating moldy pumpkin.
So how do you know when to start carving your pumpkin? Well, there are two major signs that it’s time to carve. First, if you look closely at your pumpkin, you’ll see that the stem where the vine was attached starts turning brown around the edges. This is a sign that the vines are dying off, and the pumpkin itself is no longer getting enough sunlight to grow new ones. Second, the end of the pumpkin is starting to turn black; this is another indication that the pumpkin’s growth cycle is coming to an end.
Once you notice these signs, take your pumpkin outside and cut it open vertically down the center. Once you’ve done this, you’ll need to carefully pry up the bottom to expose the seeds. Then, use a knife to slice the top part of the pumpkin off, being careful not to damage the seeds underneath. Afterward, remove the rest of the pumpkin skin using scissors or a vegetable peeler. Finally, scoop out the insides using a spoon or melon baller.
If you’ve followed our advice, your pumpkin should now be ready to be carved into whatever you like. You can even add decorations to your pumpkin! For example, you could carve eyes and a nose onto your pumpkin, or you could make it look like a ghost. And once you’re finished carving, don’t forget to store your pumpkin properly.
For starters, make sure you put your pumpkin in a cool, dark place, preferably inside a cardboard box. Make sure it’s at room temperature before putting it away, however, since cold temperatures can cause the flesh to rot faster. You also shouldn’t leave it lying directly on the ground. Instead, prop it up against a sturdy surface, such as a piece of plywood.
And finally, don’t throw pumpkin guts away! They’re loaded with nutrients and vitamins, especially vitamin C, and many people use them as fertilizer. In addition, you can eat pumpkin seeds themselves, which are high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Now that you know when to carve your pumpkin, you’ll be able to enjoy it in its entirety throughout November. Just remember: Don’t eat it before then!
This information is written only to teach and inform. It is not meant to be health or medical advice. If you have any questions about a medical condition or your health goals, always see a physician or other trained health expert.
