Horticulture expert provides tips for picking and preserving the perfect pumpkin
Pumpkins have become synonymous with autumn for various reasons, including an abundant harvest in October and the fruit likely being served at the first Thanksgiving in 1621.
Additionally, carving pumpkins has been a Halloween tradition since it was introduced to America in the 19th century.
Carving pumpkins
The history of carving pumpkins – or jack-o’-lanterns – is rooted in an Irish legend dating back to the 18th century regarding Stingy Jack, a blacksmith by trade who supposedly made a deal with the devil.
However, while Stingy Jack’s trickery prevented the devil from taking his soul, it also doomed him to an eternity of wandering the earth as an undead spirit with only a carved-out turnip and a burning coal to light his way.
The Irish legend persists people referred to Stingy Jack’s ghost as Jack of the Lantern or Jack-O’-Lantern, and soon they began creating their own versions of his lantern by carving scary faces in turnips and placing them in their windows or on their stoops to frighten Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits away.
Immigrants from these countries brought their vegetable-carving traditions with them when they came to the U.S., initiating pumpkin carving as a general pastime among Americans around the Halloween holiday.
As families begin celebrating Halloween this year, Kansas State University (K-State) Horticulture Expert Cynthia Domenghini offers tips for picking and preserving pumpkins this season.
Picking pumpkins
In a K-State Research and Extension publication dated Oct. 17, Domenghini notes the key to harvesting or purchasing the perfect pumpkin this fall is to choose a fully-ripened pumpkin in order to increase longevity.
“Pumpkins harvested before they fully ripen will rot more quickly than those harvested at peak maturity,” Domenghini says.
According to Domenghini, fully-ripened pumpkins are characterized by having a hard rind, a solid color and a waxy coating which protects them from drying out.
Additionally, individuals should knock on their pumpkin a few times, as mature gourds will make a hollow sound when thumped.
Preserving pumpkins
After picking the perfect pumpkin and carving a scary creation, it is essential individuals keep their pumpkins cool and out of direct sunlight to extend their life.
“Carved pumpkins have a much shorter shelf life, sometimes only a few days – up to a week – before noticeable rotting occurs,” Domenghini says.
To help extend the life of carved pumpkins, individuals should thoroughly clean the inside of their pumpkin, removing all seeds and loose string and soak the inside of the pumpkin in a 10 percent bleach-water solution for several hours.
They should also avoid using a real candle to light up their pumpkin, since heat speeds up the rotting process.
Domenghini also notes, since pumpkins are made of a high concentration of water, they should be brought inside if there is a freeze in the near forecast.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
