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* The origin of Halloween dates back at least 3,000 years to
the Celtic celebration of Samhain (pronounced "sow-ain").
The festival was held starting at sundown on October 31st and lasted until sundown on November 1st. It was similar to the modern practice of the New Year's celebration.
* On this magical night, glowing jack-o-lanterns, carved from turnips or gourds, were set on porches and in windows to welcome deceased loved ones, but also to act as protection against malevolent spirits. Burning lumps of coal were used inside as a source of light, later to be replaced by candles.
* When European settlers, particularly the Irish, arrived in America they found the native pumpkin to be larger, easier to carve and seemed the perfect choice for jack-o-lanterns. Halloween didn't really catch on big in this country until the late 1800's and has been celebrated in many ways ever since!
PICKING the PERFECT PUMPKIN
* Select an unbruised pumpkin about the size and shape of your design.
* Choose one that is smooth and evenly-colored so your design transfers clearly.
* Make sure the pumpkin has a flat bottom so it sits up-right.
* For children, try to select a lighter-colored, softer
pumpkin. These don't last as long, but they are easier to carve.
CARVING TIPS
* For a cleaner, uncut top, cut a circle from the bottom of the pumpkin to clean the pumpkin out, instead of cutting the lid. (Lift and place the pumpkin over the light source when complete.)
* Scrape away the pulp until the area you plan to carve is 1" thick. (It is easier to carve when the walls are thinner, but not too thin to hold up your design.)
You can either draw your design on the pumpkin OR you can
download or create your own Jack-o-Lantern design. If you
draw the design on paper and then transfer it to the surface
..HOW? you might ask? Use a toothpick to lightly puncture
through the paper into the surface flesh.
* If your pattern transfer is hard to see on your pumpkin after you have poked it, rub flour over the dots to make them more visible. If your design is unclear, your dots may be too far apart or too large. Refer to your pattern and use a pen to connect the dots. Avoid these problems by making your dots smaller and closer together.
* Hold your saw like a pencil and steadily saw up and down
like a sewing machine.
* Carve dot-to-dot and keep your pattern handy to refer to
while carving.
* Start your carving from the center and work your way to
the outside of the design.
* Don't twist, bend, or jab saws.
* Don't force or slice with saws.
* Push carved pieces out with your fingers, not the saw blade.
RESCUE TIPS
If you have done a fabulous job of carving but, Gosh darnit,
the pupil of the eye comes out with the discard area... Yipes! Don't panic! Poke a toothpick into side of the piece to be put back...then fit the other end of the pick back into the place it belongs. You can also use this technique to make 3-D effects. Be creative!
A Few More Pumpkin Facts:
Pumpkin seeds can be roasted as a snack.
Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.
Pumpkins are used for feed for animals.
Pumpkin flowers are edible.
Pumpkins are used to make soups, pies and breads.
Pumpkins are members of the vine crops family called cucurbits.
Pumpkins originated in Central America.
Pumpkins range in size from less than a pound to over 1,000 pounds.
The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,140 pounds.
The Connecticut field variety is the traditional American pumpkin.
Pumpkins are 90 percent water.
Pumpkins are fruit.
PUMPKINS and HALLOWEEN
A grandmother pretends she doesn't
know who you are on Halloween.
~Erma Bombeck
Native Americans used pumpkin seeds for food and medicine.
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