regarding pumpkins. My children think so.

[DevilsRoulette]

I have bought two culinary pumpkins instead of those really huge things.

This way, the kids can do a pumpkin each, and I can make a pie and roast the seeds, because those giant pumpkins don't appear fit for anything.

However, I apparently just don't get it.

I agree. I don't. ok, they are small, but at least nothing's wasted. right?

I'm saving the turnip for their stocking at christmas

Ah now that is just extravagant as everyone knows its a satsuma that goes in the stocking!

Can I recommend Yoda for pumpkin carving? And the Death Star! They both look fantastic and are very easy to do. Last years Yoda is in my profile

The big ones are grown for size rather than tastiness, I think. You should have bought both though
Or use a butternut squash for eating instead, I am attempting to make butternut squash pie tomorrow, apparently it tastes nearly the same as pumpkin pie

easy? EASY? Bollocks. you just said that so I'd check out your profile didn't you?
at your amazing carving ability
at how pretty you are.

I don't like you.

I wonder what a carved butternut squash looks like. You could do naughty ones if you were having a party. A no kids party, obviously. (I was going to say adults only party but that brings an altogether different picture to mind )

I'm just too generous, Shennagins , it's always been a big problem for me.

Twas swedes for us, Shen.

Can you imagine kids' faces if we suggested that these days?

we used to always make them out of a swede when we were kid, and they smelled lovely!

I am not joking!

The death star in particular is v v easy, there is very little carving, you just divide into a grid and go nuts! There are instructions on the net, and you can print off the template for Yoda, it is far easier than trying to think something up myself :o

Snorting at the thought of carved butternut squash :o

And we used to have swede ones when I was a kid, they did smell so much nicer than pumpkins :)

www.artlyst.com/articles/ultimate-halloween-pumpkin-carve-create-the-star-wars-death-star

There you go and 4 -10 hours is a crock, maybe it is if you use one of the mahoosive American style ones but I did a Tesco "large" carving pumpkin and it took a couple of hours tops.

DevilsRoulette... Your Pumpkins are fine, however your piccies of Mr Wogan

oh yes, sorry, forgot to warn you all about that. I like to think awd Terry likes 'em.

I might give it a go then, I'll let you know if it turns out ok or if I lose a finger

I might give the butternut squash halves a go when I have finished my pie tomorrow

YABU You need HUGE pumpkins and power tools. It's the only way.

If it's seriously amazing carved pumpkins you're after, Google Villafane Studios (I'd do a link if I knew how). They carve these brilliant (and quite creepy) designs every Halloween. I follow them on Facebook.

Check them out. Absolutely fantastic.

Disclaimer: they're an American thing. I have nothing to do with them. I'm not promoting!

Your kids can think themselves lucky. Mine have got to be content with a swede, because I didn't get into town until today and they were all sold out.
I'm trying to get them to understand it's retro.
And of course yanbu.

I've made minions out of butternut squash. Pic on profile although for some reason its saved upside down on MN. Isn't upside down on computer!

Excellent minions, Viva.

Have you seen the common pumpkin eating a culinary pumpkin if you click on the MN logo ^ up there? Have you?

I was so impressed that I blatantly stole copied the idea.

You need a pneumatic drill for a retro turnip Tunip.

Oh, the pumpkin eating pumpkin has changed into a witch now. [htlblush]

Whilst I haven't carved a pumpkin myself, I have been to the worlds BIGGEST Pumkpin festival -
designeurlife.com/blog/travel/ludwigsburg-pumpkin-festival/

Even better, we knew nothing about it, wandered through a grotto in the Schloss and found ourselves in a wonderland

I'm bloody chuffed my witch pumpkin from last year is on the homepage! I've made it big now!

OP, buy a big one! Draw or print out a stencil on some paper, stick it on the pumpkin, get a nail and poke holes into pumpkin following the stencil, remove stencil and draw over it in felt tip (if you wish), and then cut it with your sharpest knife.

Easy peasy!

Is it not enough to hack the top off a [insert cucurbit of choice] intending to turn the flesh into soup but getting a bit bored so throwing it any which way, and then stab holes into the shell that to a pissed person with very poor eyesight might resemble a face?

my Mother made us carve swedes.
Have you ever carved a swede?
I still haven't forgiven her.
I'm not kidding.

I remember carving a potato. . Aye, times were hard.

I am not joking.

Bogey your pumpkins are brilliant! Both of them (ooerr)