WHAT’S THE BEST VARIETY OF PUMPKIN TO CARVE?

The one that inspires you the most, of course! Well, there may be a few other points to consider before taking home one of nature’s most exciting fruits (that’s right – they’re fruit.) When it comes to pumpkins, the differences are more than skin deep. Pumpkins are more broadly referred to as squash or gourds. Anyone who shops with local farmers frequently knows that there is a night and day difference between a yellow squash and a butternut squash, and the same goes for pumpkins! Classic jack-o-lantern pumpkins are often chosen for their bright orange hue and striking stem, however the flesh of a these pumpkins is often thinner and more coarse than other varieties. If you plan to carve a traditional pumpkin, you can’t go wrong with a jack-o-lantern.

However, those of us with more eclectic taste might be on the look out for show stoppers that allow for some style and flair. Relief carving on pumpkins (light decorative carving without fully cutting into the interior) is most easily accomplished on a pumpkin with thick, smooth flesh and minimal ridging like a Porcelain Doll or Cheddar Pumpkin. On Pumpkin Day at DFM, you may have seen the Fruit Technician who carved meticulous art out of Pie Pumpkins and Butternut Squash. Butternut squash is ideal for three-dimensional carving since it has a neck of solid fruit. If you’re not up for carving, you can always opt for an elegant Cinderella Pumpkin that can be easily decorated with paint, or even decoupaged. Check out a few fun ideas above!