How to Carve a Pumpkin

With fall just around the corner, one of my favorite things is seeing pumpkins of all shapes and sizes appear on people's doorsteps, especially all the fun jack-o'-lanterns. In today's blog post, I'll walk you through how to carve a basic pumpkin and, most importantly, what you can do with all those leftover seeds and pumpkin "guts."

Let's Get Carving!

Step 1: Cut the Top

Start by carefully cutting a hole around the top of your pumpkin. Try cutting at a slight angle so that the lid doesn't fall inside the pumpkin when you put it back on.

Once you've removed the top, scoop out all of the seeds and stringy pumpkin guts. Set them aside instead of throwing them away! We'll come back to them later.

Step 2: Draw Your Face

Now for the fun part! Grab a permanent marker and start designing your pumpkin's face.

For the eyes, I'm going with two classic triangles. You can make them big, small, crooked, or even give your pumpkin completely different-shaped eyes.

Next, add a smaller triangle for the nose.

Finally, it's time for the mouth. Draw a scary grin, a goofy smile, or whatever expression you think fits your pumpkin's personality. 

Step 3: Start Carving

Once you're happy with your design, carefully cut along the lines you drew. Take your time, especially when working around the smaller details. As you can see, my carving did not go as planned but that's the fun.

When you're finished, place a battery-operated tealight inside your pumpkin and turn out the lights. Now you can admire your jack-o'-lantern in all its spooky glory! 

Don't Throw Out Those Pumpkin Guts!

Remember those seeds and pumpkin guts we set aside earlier? Your first instinct might be to toss them in the trash, but don't. Pumpkin seeds can make a delicious snack, and there are plenty of creative ways to use the pumpkin itself.

Below are three recipes using the leftovers.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

A classic for a reason! Clean and dry your pumpkin seeds, toss them with a little oil and your favorite seasonings, and roast them until they're golden and crispy.

How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds, opens a new window

Harissa Pumpkin Soup

Put those pumpkin pieces to good use by turning them into a warm, comforting pumpkin soup. Add your favorite herbs and spices for a cozy fall meal that's perfect for a chilly evening.

Harissa Pumpkin Soup, opens a new window

Pumpkin Seed Hummus

After cleaning and roasting your seeds, you can turn them into a delicious pumpkin seed hummus. Blend the roasted seeds with chickpeas, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and a little salt until smooth and creamy. Serve it with pita bread, crackers, or your favorite veggies for a tasty fall snack.

Roasted Pumpkin Seed Hummus, opens a new window

And there you have it! One pumpkin, a little creativity, and hopefully a few tasty snacks to show for it.

Remember to be careful when using sharp carving tools and always have an adult help children with the carving process.

One final reminder: please don't carve pumpkins in the library! We love a good jack-o'-lantern, but we don't love pumpkin guts on the carpet. 

For more fall inspired recipes and activities, check out these books:

Oh My Gourd!, opens a new window

A Fall Treasury of Recipes, Crafts and Wisdom, opens a new window

From Harvest to Home, opens a new window