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Original poster

The pumpkin is too hard to cut…help!

48 replies

MapleandAcorn · 30/10/2022 17:40

We wanted to calve the pumpkin for tomorrow and it’s too hard. I cannot get a knife into it at all.

Is there anything I can do to soften it enough to carve?

OP posts:
FoodieToo · 30/10/2022 17:42

Bake it/ microwave it?

Threadkillacilla · 30/10/2022 17:44

Use a serrated knife.

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 30/10/2022 17:47

don’t bother. Not worth it. Sorry 😅😬
I tried it once and failed miserably.
can you buy pre-decorated? Asking for a friend…

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AntlerRose · 30/10/2022 17:48

Use a power drill to drill holes in the shape you want, then join the dots with your knife.

inappropriateraspberry · 30/10/2022 17:48

Your problem is trying to calve it - you won't get a cow out of it! 😂
Use a serrated knife - the narrower the better. You can also pierce it first like dot to dot - then join up the cuts.

Keeperbee · 30/10/2022 17:48
  1. Scoop out as much of the insides as you can. Scrape out as much of the flesh as you can. The thinner the walls the easier to cut ( and the better the 'gkow' when lit.
  2. Use a cocktail stick or skewer to poke holes all aroun the shapes you want to cut out.
  3. Use a serrated knife to cut out your shapes
Have fun!
inappropriateraspberry · 30/10/2022 17:49

DON'T microwave/cook it!
Or you could paint it?

Original poster
MapleandAcorn · 30/10/2022 17:49

dc are desperate to go have it out tomorrow night and put candles in it so need to carve it!

OP posts:
namechange3394 · 30/10/2022 17:49

You have scooped the inside out haven't you?

Or are you still at the point of trying to get the knife in to cut the top off to do that?!

purfectpuss · 30/10/2022 17:50

Is it not an ordinary big orange one? Culinary pumpkins like the pale green ones are similar texture to butternut squash and not really suitable for carving.

Decorate the outside with a black sharpie and some paint or shiny sequins instead- then roast it and make it into soup!

Original poster
MapleandAcorn · 30/10/2022 17:50

Can’t even cut the top off! 😆🙈

OP posts:
Threadkillacilla · 30/10/2022 17:50

You need to saw rather than chop.

Original poster
MapleandAcorn · 30/10/2022 17:53

It’s just a regular pumpkin as far as I know!

The pumpkin is too hard to cut…help!
OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 30/10/2022 17:53

Use a drill for the design and cut the bottom off rather than the top.

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 30/10/2022 17:54

In 2019 they had a brilliant idea!
metro.co.uk/2019/10/26/spooky-but-lazy-you-can-order-a-1-pre-carved-pumpkin-on-deliveroo-10987139/amp/

Threadkillacilla · 30/10/2022 17:56

Got any biscuit cutters? Hammer those in for designs.

Original poster
MapleandAcorn · 30/10/2022 17:56

The skin is so tough I cannot get anything through it! Tried a whole host of implements!

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 30/10/2022 17:57

MapleandAcorn · 30/10/2022 17:56

The skin is so tough I cannot get anything through it! Tried a whole host of implements!

You will definitely get a drill through it. Thank your lucky stars we are not still carving swedes!

Pinkandpurplehairedlady · 30/10/2022 17:58

I had this last year and as someone else suggested used a drill to get the shapes I wanted then a serrated knife to finish them off. The top was a nightmare to get off and I think I used the drill on that too. Good luck!

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 30/10/2022 17:58

Can you slice the top off with a bread knife? Not stab it, put the length of the knife against it and saw.

AntlerRose · 30/10/2022 17:59

Drill bits go in to bricks.
Its the only way i can do them.

Original poster
MapleandAcorn · 30/10/2022 18:01

I don’t have a drill! 🙈

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 30/10/2022 18:02

Can you borrow one? Failing that stab a knife into the bottom, the bottom is easier to get off than the top and it doesn't have to sit back on so doesn't matter if you make a hash of it getting it off.

Forestdweller11 · 30/10/2022 18:06

Steak knives? You need something with a serrated edge. Bread knife might be too wide.
Cut the bottom off rather than the top.
Once you get in don't do anything too complicated. Just triangles for eyes and nose. Don't bother with a mouth.

Apparently to get the strings/ seeds out put an electric hand held whisk in and it'll gather all the stuff up.

They take ages . We once did about 50 for work . Nearly killed everyone involved! Never done that particular project again!

AntlerRose · 30/10/2022 18:07

MapleandAcorn · 30/10/2022 18:01

I don’t have a drill! 🙈

Your doomed!

I agree the botton is easier than the top.