BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — We are in the Halloween spirit at Simply Sweet and we are sharing pumpkin carving tips to get everyone a head start on their decorating!
Tips:
- How to re-hydrate your pumpkin: Soak your pumpkin in a tub of water with a little bit of bleach for about an hour, up as long as overnight. This will re-hydrate your pumpkin and keep it from drying out. Bleach is an antimicrobial, which will kill most of the surface mold and bacteria on your pumpkin.
- How to preserve your pumpkin: Rub petroleum jelly on the inside of your pumpkin after soaking it in water and bleach. This will prevent any dehydration of the pumpkin. This will also block out any new bacteria or mold from forming.
- How to make my pumpkin smell like pumpkin pie: Once your pumpkin is carved, sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice to the rim and lid of the pumpkin. Once you light a candle inside, the scents will enhance and bring a wonderful aroma to your porch.
- How to make pumpkin seeds: Collect the seeds from inside the pumpkin. Strain the seeds until they are clean, then pat dry. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and a pad of butter every inch of the tray. For a sweet option, sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg and a little bit of brown sugar over the top, add butter and bake for 45 minutes until they are crispy.
