Choosing The Perfect Fall Pumpkin In Smyrna

SMYRNA, GA — As you head out to a Smyrna pumpkin patch for some fall fun with the family, it’s important to know what you’re planning to do with those pumpkins you bring home.

Are you simply planning to adorn your front porch with some spooky Halloween jack-o'-lanterns? Are you looking forward to a crisp fall weekend of baking?

Many who know their way around a kitchen or pumpkin field will tell you not all pumpkins are created equal.

If you’re hoping to give your pumpkin a lopsided grin and huge, round eyes, here are some tips for picking the best pumpkin for carving, according to the Farmers’ Almanac:

• Look for a pumpkin that has a deep orange color.

• Knock on the pumpkin to check if it’s hollow. If so, this means the pumpkin is ripe.

• Make sure the bottom of the pumpkin isn’t soft and mushy. Also, the bottom should be flat so the pumpkin doesn’t roll off your porch or steps.

• Check that the stem is firm and secure. Never pick a pumpkin up from the stem. It may break, which leads to faster decay.

• Avoid bruised pumpkins and look for a smooth surface for carving.

Have pie on the mind? While you could dig into a carving pumpkin to make your favorite fall treat, there’s a pumpkin better suited to the task.

Carving pumpkins are typically thinner and easier to cut into than pie pumpkins. They also have fewer guts on the insides, and those guts are more stringy and grainy than pumpkins used for cooking.

Pie pumpkins, on the other hand, are usually smaller and more rounded. Their flesh is sweeter and less watery, according to the University of Illinois extension.

How do you know if you have a winning pie pumpkin? The same way you choose the perfect carving pumpkin. Don’t pick it up by the stem. Look for a pumpkin free of deep nicks, bruises and soft spots, and be sure to store it in a cool, dry place.

Once cut, the leftover pumpkin should be wrapped tightly, refrigerated and used within five days. Southern Living recommends pureeing or cubing any leftovers and freezing them for later use.

Read more:

• Popular Smyrna-Vinings Area Pumpkin Patches 2021
• Smyrna-Vinings Area Pumpkin Patches To Visit In 2021
  
• 5 Things About Pumpkins Before Visiting Patches In Smyrna