[Veggie Friendly]

There is some debate in our household regarding when is the optimum time to buy a pumpkin for halloween. I kind of feel like you should buy a pumpkin only a week or maybe two before halloween and not carve it until a week or less beforehand. Some of my houses in my neighborhood have had pumpkins sitting outside already for two weeks. I know that in the past I've had pumpkins ruined because of being left outside and being exposed to frost and other elements. I want to make sure I have jack o'lanterns for trick or treating this year.

 

[karenlovessnow]

If I'm buying a pumpkin for Halloween, I agree with you, VF. However, sometimes I like to decorate my yard for Autumn, in which case I will purchase a few pumpkins early on that will not be carved.

 

[eggplant]

If you want your pumpkins to last until Halloween, buy them two weeks before at the earliest. I've learned from experience.

 

[Veggie Friendly]

Sounds like you guys are on my side. I think I'm going to wait at least another week and a half or so.

I am also planning on roasting the seeds. I've done it before, but does anyone have any special seasoning suggestions that will make them particularly tasty?

 

[Jessica Alana]

I always forget how much I like Fall until it comes. It smells & feels so good. I haven't carved a pumpkin in years. I think I'll do one or two this year. Why? because I'm a nerd.

 

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

I roast the seeds in olive oil and seasoned salt and thats all...

they turn out YUMMY!

As far as pumpkins go? It depends on the climate where you live...

I live in Washington State and we're cool (60's) and damp this time of year but no frost... Our Jack-O-Lanterns last a good two weeks on our covered porch, uncarved pumpkins last for ages...I know other people (who live in other areas) who wait until a couple days before the holiday before carving.

 

[froggythefrog]

Oh my! Hi VF! I thought you were Michael! Welcome, welcome, welcome!

If I get a carver pumpkin this year, I will probably wait until about a week before Halloween. I hate it when stores start decorating for Halloween in January (or so it seems). I think we should keep celebrations close enough to the holiday to keep it meaningful.

On the other hand, my pie pumpkins ripened in September. I am already making pies. They made themselves available and I need to use them.

 

[Ayrlin]

We carve our pumpkins on Halloween day, any earlier and they rot .

Sometimes as early as 24 hours after they are caved they have mold growing in them and are getting soft down here.

But what can you say when its still in the 90's in october here.

 

[IamJen]

I vote for not more than two weeks. Otherwise, they can get icky/mushy. I've carved them a couple of days ahead though. The biggest danger we had with jackolanterns in the past was not the atmosphere, but the "smashers"

The most important part though, is to pick it out yourself from the patch! None of that store bought nonsense. Tromping in the dirt, searching for just the right size and shape..all essential parts of the process.

Welcome to VB, btw.

 

[berrykat]

I will probably carve them halloween day or on the day before....we bought them sat and are keeping them indoors uncarved for now.

 

[4EverGrounded]

Welcome to VB!

I don't know that we'll get a carver this year, but we WILL have eating pumpkins, that's for sure (mmmm..... dinner in a pumpkin

).

For the seed roasting, I prefer a blend of cumin, corriander and chili powder along with olive oil and a bit of sea salt. Scrum-yumtious.

 

[Katt Fink]

F that... I carve like 10 pumpkins every year in the last few weeks leading up to halloween. When one goes bad/gets smashed, I do another one.

For ones that come out really nice and we want to last for halloween night (or keep inside without smelling up the house), we set them outside to dry for a day in the backyard, then spray a coat of acrylic sealer all over the inside and outside of the jack-o-lantern. It doesn't keep them forever, but they certainly helps them last longer than without. We also bring our jacks inside before it gets too late at night, to further protect them.

I believe there is some type of magic fairy pumpkin dust that you can mix up with water in a giant tub and dunk the pumpkins into... probably works better than the acrylic, but the acrylic sealer is definitely cheaper, quicker, and easier. Happy pumpkining!

 

[Yell]

Nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger all make good spices for pumpkin seeds!