With October comes all kinds of beloved fall traditions: spooky movies, delicious candies, pumpkin spice lattes and delightful, hearty casseroles. But there’s one October hallmark we start getting excited about long before the leaves start to change colors—and that’s pumpkin carving.
Whether you go for the traditional triangle eyes and a toothy grin or mix it up with some truly artsy designs, there’s no denying the fun of turning that orange orb into a Halloween icon. And, if you do it right, you can keep that delightful creation fresh all throughout the month.
How to Preserve a Pumpkin
To keep your pumpkins looking brand-new throughout October, just fill a large tub with 10 parts water and 1 part vinegar. Let the gourds soak for 20-30 minutes in the bath, then pull them out and let them air-dry. Voila! You’ve got some pretty pumpkins that definitely won’t show their age.
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Why does this work? The vinegar kills fungus, making it hard for the pumpkin to rot. That’s why vinegar-soaked pumpkins look so new; they’re unblemished by the grossness that inevitably befalls their untreated peers. And best of all, this method is safe for wildlife, too, so if a squirrel or bird thinks your pumpkin is a tasty snack, they can chow down.
You can also spritz pumpkins with bleach, though that may not be as safe for the neighborhood creatures.
More Pumpkin-Carving Ideas
If all of this has made you curious about pumpkin carving in general, look no further. We have a guide to carving the perfect pumpkin, including how to pick the right one as well as guides to drilling, stenciling and even using cookie cutters. Looking to sharpen your skills? Check out these pumpkin carving tips from the pros.
And of course, if you’re carving pumpkins, you’ll have some leftovers. Here’s what to make with pumpkin seeds!
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Taco Pumpkin Seeds
Here is a hot idea from our Test Kitchen—toast seeds from a freshly cut pumpkin in taco seasoning and a bit of garlic salt. The combination packs a tasty punch! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nuts and Seeds Trail Mix
A filling blend of nuts, seeds, chocolate chips and dried fruit keeps you healthy by the handful. —Kristin Rimkus, Snohomish, Washington
Fresh Pumpkin Soup
This appealing soup harvests the fall flavors of just-picked pumpkins and tart apples and is sure to warm you up on a crisp autumn day. I top the creamy puree with a sprinkling of toasted pumpkin seeds. —Jane Shapton, Irvine, California
Sesame-Garlic Pumpkin Seeds
This “everything” mix of pumpkin seeds with other seeds and seasoning is a fun treat—a lively way to use the seeds left over from your Halloween jack-o’-lantern! —Danielle Ulam, Hookstown, Pennsylvania
Honey-Squash Dinner Rolls
These puffy dinner rolls take on rich color when you add squash to the dough. Any squash variety works. I've even used cooked carrots. —Marcia Whitney, Gainesville, Florida
Maple Morning Granola
Salty and sweet ingredients combine for an easy, wholesome breakfast or snack. Hosting a kids' party? Pack the granola into treat bags and present them as take-home favors. —Elizabeth Godecke, Chicago, Illinois
Avocado Goat Cheese Truffles
Give guests the VIP treatment with luxurious truffles you can make in your own kitchen. The goat cheese is mild, and red pepper heats up each bite just a bit. Crackers are the perfect accompaniment. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Caliente Cheese Crisps
To fire up the crowd, I pack these homemade crackers with bacon, pumpkin seeds and French-fried onion rings. Dunk them in picante sauce. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Pumpkin Pie-Spiced Granola
My husband says this granola with pumpkin and spices tastes like a bite of real pumpkin pie, and it’s a whole lot quicker to make. —Sarah Ozimek, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Festive Rice
My mom and I transformed plain rice by adding feta, cranberries, pumpkin seeds and cayenne. We wound up with a sweet and spicy crowd-pleaser. —Lisa de Perio, Dallas, Texas
Apple Walnut Salad
The pumpkin seeds and homemade dressing make this salad so special—and healthy, too. Add leftover turkey and you’ve got a main-dish salad. —Bjorg Martin, Noblesville, Indiana
Garlic Pumpkin Seeds
Wondering what to do with all those pumpkin seeds guests will be scooping out at your pumpkin-carving party? This yummy, microwave-easy recipe is the answer! Save some for yourself before they're gone! —Iola Egle, Bella Vista, Arkansas
Quinoa-Stuffed Squash Boats
My colorful “boats” with quinoa, chickpeas and pumpkin seeds use delicata squash, a winter squash with edible skin that’s cream-colored with green stripes. In a pinch, acorn squash will do—but don't eat the skin! —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Pumpkin Seed Munchies
Magically transform squash or pumpkin seeds into a spellbinding snack with ranch salad dressing mix. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Brandied Blue Cheese Spread
Pour on the holiday spirit with a splash of brandy and three kinds of cheese. Pumpkin seeds, or pepitas, are a crunchy topping for the smooth spread. —T.B. England, San Antonio, Texas
Seeded Butternut Squash Braid
Crunchy, green hulled pumpkin seeds (better known as pepitas)add a slightly nutty taste to this rich and moist bread. Because of their high oil content, pepitas can spoil quickly. Make sure you store them in the freezer to keep them fresh. —Cheryl Perry, Hertford, North Carolina
Spiced Sweet Potato Soup
This Thanksgiving serve your spuds as soup. It makes a unique first course, and guests will love the creamy texture and flavors of ginger, cinnamon and curry. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
Pumpkin Seed Cranberry Biscotti
A hint of pumpkin seed and almond gives this biscotti recipe a wonderful flavor that's just right for fall. Try these with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa! —Nancy Renner, Sequim, Washington
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Roasting pumpkin seeds is easier than it seems. Just hollow a pumpkin out, spice 'em and bake 'em for a fun snack. —Dawn Fagerstrom, Warren, Minnesota
Trail Mix Clusters
These delicious snacks make wonderful gifts, and although they look and taste like they came from an expensive chocolate shop, they couldn't be more guilt-free. The dried fruit and nuts are heart-healthy and full of fiber. Bet you can't eat just one! —Alina Niemi, Honolulu, Hawaii
Salmon & Spinach Salad with Avocado
We eat a power salad packed with salmon and spinach at least once a week. It’s a cinch to make, even after a hard day’s work. —Jenny Dawson, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Mocha Pumpkin Seeds
Roasted pumpkin seeds are a classic fall snack. Kick them up a notch with instant coffee and cocoa powder for a mix that’s mocha genius at any time of year. —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas
Roasted Butternut Squash Panzanella
Squash was a hard sell with my family until I paired it with pumpkin seeds, cranberries and horseradish. Now they love it! —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
Pumpkin Seed Toffee
My kids are allergic to nuts, but they can eat pumpkin seeds! Every fall we save the seeds from our pumpkins to add to various recipes, including this one. —Suzanne Earl, Spring, Texas
Maple Apple Baked Oatmeal
I've tried a number of different types of fruit for this recipe, but apple seems to be my family's favorite. I mix the dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls the night before and combine them the next morning when it's time to make breakfast.—Megan Brooks, Saint Lazare, Quebec.
Great Grain Salad
I can't think of a better dish to round out a meal. My grain salad features all my favorite nuts, seeds and fruits. Try adding grilled chicken to make it a meal on its own. —Rachel Dueker, Gervais, Oregon
Light Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Try this zippy twist on a favorite Halloween tradition. These amped-up pumpkin seeds have just enough heat to take the chill off autumn afternoons! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Soup
I love that I can top this creamy soup with anything my heart desires, which means I can eat it several days in a row without ever having to have it the same way twice. You can substitute fresh onions and celery in this recipe if you prefer, but using the dried version makes it easy to throw together on a weekday morning. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Roasted Fresh Pumpkin Seeds
I learned how to roast pumpkin seeds from my mother, who learned it from her mother. Keep an eye on the seeds so they don’t scorch. —Margaret Drye, Plainfield, New Hampshire
Creamy Pumpkin Hummus
I love to serve this pumpkin hummus with sliced apples, pears and pita chips. Top it with toasted pumpkin seeds, a drizzle of pumpkin oil and even fried sage leaves. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Fennel Wild Rice Salad
This is a salad I invented years ago when my sister's family had to go gluten-free. It has since become a family favorite, and Thanksgiving just isn't the same without our wild rice salad! —Aimee Day, Ferndale, Washington
Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
We look forward to fall in anticipation of making these spicy pumpkin seeds. I often put some in a decorated jar to give as a gift.The post How to Preserve a Pumpkin the Right Way appeared first on Taste of Home.
Emily Hannemann