Here at Grandma's house, we love carving Jack-O-Lanterns. Hate that gooey slime that gets all over everything, though. Want to save the pumpkin seeds for roasting? Hate pulling them out of that stringy clinging glob of guck? Sometimes you need tips and tricks for dealing with it in an efficient manner. Sometimes it's as simple as choosing the right pumpkin.
Pumpkins for carving are drier and stringier than eating pumpkins.
That makes it harder to scoop out their insides. Why do they use them for Jack-O-Lanterns? Because they're easier to mass produce. They require less fertilizer or care. How do you know which is which? Don't buy your Halloween pumpkins from those big bins at supermarkets and big box stores. Those are made especially for carving because they aren't as tasty as pie pumpkins. They're also messier to deal with.
Where do I get pie pumpkins?
Skip the bins and go to the produce section. There you will find a much smaller display of pie pumpkins or eating pumpkins. Every store calls them something different. You can also go to a pumpkin farm for your pumpkins. Be sure to ask which ones are for eating. They'll scoop out more smoothly because they're moister.
Bonus tip: If you carve your pumpkin on Halloween night, you may be able to use it to make pie later.
Use the right tools.
Put your pumpkin on newspaper to catch strings and goo that fall while you're scooping it out. When you remove the cap, don't try to scrape the goo off. Just cut it off with a knife where the pumpkin is solid. Using a large metal spoon with a sharp edge allows you to scrape the inside of the pumpkin more efficiently. If you do it right, you never have to touch the goo.
Do use gloves.
Wear thin latex gloves while carving Halloween pumpkins. The goo will remain gooey, but it won't get all over your hands. Make sure your gloves are food grade, to avoid chemical contamination. To protect the environment, rinse gloves between pumpkins. That way you aren't wasting several pair.
Don't put the gooey mess down the disposal.
Pumpkin "strings" are hazardous to it's health. Your garbage disposal could clog or break. Instead, put the pulp and seeds in a strainer. Set in sink to sort and rinse seeds. Put the leftover pulp in your compost pile. Be sure there are no seeds in it. They will sprout and grow in the warm, moist environment. No compost pile? Throw the stringy goo in the trash. At least it's biodegradable.
Bonus Tip: Dry the goo in the sun, on a newspaper, then separate the seeds for roasting later.
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