At Halloween they are back in the house entrances or on the terraces and sparkle creepily. The hollowed-out pumpkins in autumn, which are also becoming increasingly popular in this country. However, the vegetables do not keep for long if they are not properly prepared and can become moldy or dry up. To avoid this, there are a few tips and tricks for preserving the carved pumpkin.
Table of Contents
select pumpkin
It is important that a fresh pumpkin is chosen for carving. The skin should not be damaged and the stem should still be firm and thick. Because an injured skin can already be invaded by bacteria, which can later promote the decay of the carved pumpkin. Therefore, the following should be carefully selected:
- no brown spots on the shell
- no soft spot, no matter how small
- Pumpkin must not give way under pressure
- uniform color indicates freshness
Prepare
Before carving, the pumpkin should be washed thoroughly. Since the peel is not intended for consumption here, you can definitely use mild soapy water. After washing, you should dry the pumpkin well with a clean cotton cloth. This removes the bacteria on the skin that would otherwise enter the pumpkin during the carving process. The chosen carving tools also need to be prepared:
- only use sharp knives
- clean and disinfect beforehand
- use pure alcohol from the pharmacy for this purpose
- Disinfectants from well-stocked garden stores
- Also treat specially purchased carving tools beforehand
Hollow out the pumpkin
Before carving, the pumpkin should be completely hollowed out to remove all sticky parts. Because it is precisely these damp parts that later promote mold or bacteria growth. Therefore, special care must be taken when hollowing out. The following must be observed here:
- no torn corners
- with their larger surface, these favor bacterial growth
- make clean cuts
- long sawing and cutting will damage the shell
- this will soften the squash
use bleach
Diluted bleach can be used to preserve the pumpkin after carving. It kills microorganisms on and around the pumpkin that would otherwise accelerate the decay of the carved pumpkin. When using bleach, proceed as follows:
- always work with gloves
- a tablespoon of bleach to a liter of water
- Spray all over with the mixture
- also from the inside
- don’t forget any positions
- alternatively, soak the pumpkin in the bleach water for several hours
After spraying or dipping, the squash should dry well. Spend it in a warm, dry place. To protect against drying out, however, do not place directly on or near a heater. Ideally, the squash is hung on a stick in an airy place to dry.
Treat with lemon
Lemon is also said to make the carved pumpkin more durable if it is treated with it. You should definitely use the juice of a fresh lemon, although it’s easier to use lemon essences that you can find in the supermarket. The lemon preserving treatment proceeds as follows:
- Mix lemon juice and water one to one
- Pour mixture into spray bottle
- Spray the entire pumpkin well inside and out
- or soak in the mixture for several hours
The pumpkin must then be able to dry well.
Spread Vaseline
After the pumpkin has been carved and the bacteria killed with bleach or lemon, the cut edges should be coated with petroleum jelly. This is to keep the moisture in the squash, it won’t dry out as quickly. The pumpkin can be preserved for about two weeks.
hairspray or lacquer
Varnish or hairspray is sprayed on the entire pumpkin inside and out. This is to serve as a seal, the pumpkin should lose less liquid in this way. Varnish or hairspray is usually used as an alternative to Vaseline. However, the method only protects against drying out, not against any mold formation.
Commercial gourd protectant
Of course, the trade has already reacted and many shops offer pumpkin protection products that are already available in a spray bottle. These funds are usually offered directly where the pumpkin is available. Specially developed to make a carved pumpkin last longer, pumpkin preservatives are a good alternative to home remedies.
Save pumpkin
The carved pumpkin likes it cool and dry. The storage temperature should be between 2° and 5° Celsius. Especially if the pumpkin is not yet in its place, it is advisable to wrap it in foil and store it in the fridge. When storing, you should proceed as follows:
- maintain constant temperature
- do not freeze
- then the pumpkin will soften
- Store pumpkin in a dry place
So that you don’t have to keep the pumpkin for a long time, you should carve it immediately after buying or harvesting it and put it outside.
