Use a large scoop. You can find ones with serrated edges in some pumpkin carving kits, or look for a large, semi-curved utensil—like an ice cream scoop—from the kitchen. Use a scoop made of metal. Plastic spoons or scoops may snap if used too forcefully.
How do you scoop out a pumpkin for cooking?
To prepare the pumpkin: use a sharp, serrated knife to cut lid off pumpkin and then use a large serving spoon to scoop out seeds (reserve these for roasting), fibres and flesh inside. Cut into wedge-shaped chunks, about 1 inch thick each.
How do you scoop out a pumpkin for soup?
Place the pumpkin on a tea towel so it doesn’t slip, then carefully cut the crown off the pumpkin. Use a large metal serving spoon to scoop out the seeds, fibres and flesh of the pumpkin. Be sure to save the insides for later as they’ll come in handy to make a lovely soup or sweet treat.
What’s the best way to hollow out a pumpkin?
Using a pumpkin saw—you can find one in any pumpkin carving set—cut a circle around the bottom of the pumpkin that measures at least 4 inches across. Once you complete the cut around the entire circle, gently move the cut piece back and forth to loosen it from the pumpkin.
How much should you hollow out a pumpkin?
Step 1: Cut a Hole in the Bottom of the Pumpkin
This will also help make your pumpkin last longer. Cut a medium-size hole in the bottom of your pumpkin; the hole should be larger than your fist but small enough the cut portion won’t be visible once you stand the pumpkin up.
Do you clean out pumpkin before carving?
Even if you’re not eating a pumpkin, you should inspect and clean it before carving. You want your pumpkin to be clean before you handle it for carving. Remove any mushy or moldy spots on the pumpkin with a knife. Rub the pumpkin down with a vegetable brush or a clean, rough cloth.
How do you empty a pumpkin for pie?
Cut off the stem, then cut the pumpkin in half (from top to bottom). Use a spoon to scrape out any fibers and seeds out of each half. A serrated grapefruit spoon or an ice cream scoop work great for this. Clean and save the seeds for roasting, if you like.
What to do with the inside of a pumpkin after carving?
What to Do With Pumpkin Guts
- Stockpile it for Broth.
- Purée the Pulp.
- Turn it Into Chutney.
- Make a Creamy Pumpkin Hummus.
- Use It To Power Up Breakfast.
- Juice It.
- Make A Face Mask.
- Pumpkin Soup With Porcini Crostini.
Can you use pumpkin guts for anything?
Everything from inside your pumpkin can be recycled or used. Pumpkin innards, the stringy orange mess which you scoop out with a spoon ahead of carving, can be roasted, or pureed for cooking in soups.
What can I do with pumpkin pulp?
Puree your pulp on its own and add it to canned pumpkin puree to boost flavor in pumpkin recipes like pumpkin bread. You may also add the puree directly to foods like oatmeal, rice and risotto, hummus and butter—for pumpkin butter.
Can you cook a pumpkin after carving?
*Note: We do not suggest attempting to cook with a pumpkin that has been carved and left to sit outside, as this could be potentially dangerous. Use only pumpkins that have been left whole for cooking purposes.
How do you dry out a pumpkin inside?
Use a towel to dry out the inside of the pumpkin as well as you can. Leave your pumpkin in a cool, well-ventilated area. Don’t use a blow dryer to dry your pumpkin as the heat will accelerate the rotting process. Don’t set your pumpkin outside to dry as the outside elements could also make it decay more quickly.
How do you take the top off a pumpkin?
Cut out the pumpkin lid: With a slim pumpkin carving knife (the carving tool with a toothed blade like a mini-saw) or serrated knife, cut along the outline of your pumpkin lid. Make sure you slice through the pumpkin at a 45-degree inward angle, so you’ll be able to replace the lid without it falling in.
Are Halloween pumpkins hollow?
In a jack-o’-lantern, the top of the pumpkin or turnip is cut off to form a lid, the inside flesh is scooped out, and an image—usually a scary or funny face—is carved out of the rind to expose the hollow interior.
How much do you scrape out of a pumpkin?
Scrape out the pumpkin guts: Use a large stiff spoon and scrape away the remaining stringy flesh working from the top of the pumpkin in concentric circles all the way down. Continue scraping until you’ve got about an inch or two of flesh remaining (the more complex your design, the thinner you’ll want the flesh to be).
How do I clean a pumpkin?
Pumpkins will have dirt and bacteria, so plan to wash your pumpkins thoroughly.
You can wash your pumpkins using one of these cleaning solutions:
- Bleach Solution (one part bleach to ten parts water)
- Water and dish soap or peppermint castile soap.
- Water and vinegar (one part vinegar to three parts water)
How do you take the skin off a pumpkin?
Poke the squash or pumpkin all over with the tines of a fork. Place it in a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 3 minutes. Use a paring knife or Y-shaped peeler to remove the skin. It will practically fall off in large strips.
How do you soften a pumpkin for cutting?
Bake or microwave it
For all large, difficult-to-cut squash and pumpkins (or a recipe where you’re keeping the squash mostly whole, like this one), giving the whole thing a quick zap in the microwave or the oven is an insanely easy trick for softening the skin just enough to make cutting easier.
Do pumpkins need washing?
Should you wash off the outside of a pumpkin? In my experience, yes. Anytime that you’re bringing anything into your kitchen that you’re going to cut into and eat, washing off the outside of it before you start cutting into it or cooking it is always a good idea.
Can you cook pumpkin with the skin on?
Pumpkin can also be cooked whole in the oven or sliced with the rind, as you’ll see in the following recipes. If, however, you only need the flesh, wash the pumpkin under running water first to remove any soil residue, dry it, and cut it in half with a long, sharp knife.
What is the best tool to shave a pumpkin with?
Any kitchen knife should work fine, as long as it’s a good, sturdy knife. I’ll use a small serrated knife – or a small saw – for cutting the top off the pumpkin, and a sharp paring knife for carving the details.