S.O.S. – Selecting an Orange Squash!
The days are getting shorter. The leaves are falling. And, there is a crisp chill in the air. All this can mean only one thing…
Time to pick the perfect pumpkin!
Whether your family is getting yours at the grocery, heading to a local farmers market, or you have found the “most sincere pumpkin patch”, here are a few tips on selecting a supreme orange squash for your fall festivities.
For Carving the Perfect Jack-o-lantern:
- Pick a pumpkin with a firm skin. Tap it with your knuckle and listen for a hollow sound.
- The heavier the pumpkin, the thicker the wall, and the more you have to carve through.
- The taller your pumpkin the stringier the flesh. This can also make it harder to carve.
- Make sure it has a flat solid base. Nothing is worse than a rolly-polly pumpkin with a candle inside!
- Smaller pumpkins are great for younger kids. They can even paint their pumpkin instead of carving.
For Your Culinary Delights:
- Smaller varieties, about 2 to 6 pounds, are preferred for cooking.
- Unlike above you want a dense, fleshy, thick walled pumpkin to cook with.
- Look for a smooth surface with a dense flesh indicating higher sugar content.
- Like with any fruit or vegetable, watch out for bruises and blemishes on the surface.
- Figure on getting about one cup of puree for each pound of pumpkin.
After you have carved your jack-o-lanterns and baked your pies, don’t forget about the seeds! Roasted pumpkins seeds make a great fall snack for everyone in your family!
Scott Nitza
Graphic Designer & Marketing Associate and Father of Three
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