Halloween Special:
Pumpkin Tips

Native Americans used pumpkins to make everything from woven mats to beer, and the festive fall vegetable quickly caught on with English settlers. Whether they're smiling or grimacing, pumpkins are a sign of the season. Here's how you can find the great pumpkin.

Picking the Perfect Pumpkin

If you choose wisely, your pumpkin could last for more than a month indoors or three months outdoors in cold weather.

What to look for:

• few or no blemishes
• a healthy, deep orange color
• a hard outer layer with no soft spots
• an intact stem

Healthy pumpkins tend to feel heavy for their size.

Carving Safety

• Let kids draw a face on the pumpkin. An adult should do all the carving.
  
  
• Make sure knives or other carving tools are sharp.
  
  
• Always carve pumpkins on flat, stable surfaces, such as the kitchen table or counter.
  
  
• Direct strokes away from the body while carving.

Flaming pumpkins! Whenever possible, use battery-operated lights instead of candles.

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