The pumpkin is too hard to cut…help!

[MapleandAcorn]

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?

You need one of those little serrated pumpkin carving safety knives. They will cut through it.

We have some progress! I managed to get the lid off and get the insides out, but totally unable to cut into it for eyes or a mouth. Will it be softer if I leave it on the side overnight?

Hoping this picture posts this time!

If you scrape away at the area where you want the features from the inside you will make the wall of the pumpkin a lot thinner so therefore easier to cut into.

I just microwaved ours for 2 mins (munchkin ones so larger ones may need longer)

Worked perfectly

I use a Stanley knife!

I’ll stick it in the microwave for a minute or two!

You need the little special cutters .. you can't carve thefeckers with a knife !
They sell them in Poundland and Tesco etc in little packs !

TikTok says to use food mixers to remove the insides

Do not fall for that I did

it is absolute rubbish and I ended up with some of the insides wrapped round the beaters and had to untangle that and the pumpkin was still full of the inside stuff.
I did however cut from bottom which I think a masterstroke

Paint it!

The walls are much too thick to carve. Use an ice cream scoop ( or a spoon) to out more flesh.

then use a small knife with s sharp point and stick blade to carve . Keep the design simple . Straight lines , no curves.

Oh no @MrsMitford3 I was very tempted

Skewer? Makes lots of small holes - sorry OP this is going to be tedious.

I have taken one for the team.

100% don't!!

@MapleandAcorn I agree with above-can you paint?

You must have some super pumpkin-embrace it 😂

vm.tiktok.com/ZMFA64kQF/

This is the one I watched. I trusted her.

Melons are easier to cut.

Thanks for all the tips. I managed to fashion a couple of eyes and drew on a mouth. I hope it is approved by dc as had to continue alone after bedtime.

@OneFrenchEgg I knew it would be bloody Babs.

I watched another of hers.

Ruined cookie cutter and feeling bitter.

Do not trust her-it is a lie

@MrsMitford3 you mean I shouldn't run my salad bowl over with a garlic clove???

@OneFrenchEgg is bloody Babs advising that as well??

off to tiktok

Babs is my new mentor. Aside from the salad trick, I thought I might tell dd to use a hot spoon on her mozzie bites whiles she's travelling inThailand.

I got one like that this year! It's a nightmare! For some reason the skin was way way way harder than any other pumpkin, I think it must be a certain variety. It looks like your one with the angular ridges.

I got two other pumpkins after that which were way easier to carve. That probably doesn't help you now though!