TRICK OR TREAT
How long do Halloween pumpkins keep before and after carving?
Including some tasty recipes to make the most out of your pumpkin even after Halloween
HALLOWEEN is a time to pick your pumpkins and think about carving patterns.
If you want to keep yours out for longer and get the decorations up earlier, there are a few ways to make sure your Halloween pumpkin will last.
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How long do pumpkins last?
Pumpkin carving is usually left to a day or two before Halloween, as once decorated they tend to spoil soon after.
If it's kept in a cool area with plenty of circulating air, a whole, fresh pumpkin will typically last two to three months.
Once carved, pumpkins will generally last for three to five days.
But they can last up to two weeks if you live in a colder climate, or if you keep it in the fridge between uses.
After this time, it will start to show signs of decay.
Some people opt to paint their pumpkins instead of carving them to ensure their pumpkin lasts for the duration of the spooky Halloween period.
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How can you make your carved pumpkin last longer?
It is possible to help your pumpkin go further and it all depends on how you carve it.
Follow the below instructions to give your pumpkin a fighting chance:
- Choose a pumpkin that is a bright orange colour (if orange) where the skin has hardened
- Ensure the pumpkin doesn’t have any holes or blemishes, which can lead to quicker rotting
- Wash your pumpkin surface with mild chlorine, diluted bleach or vinegar solution to get rid of any bacteria
- Store in a cool, dry and dark place so it doesn’t become moist
- After carving, make sure your pumpkin has adequate air circulation
- Rub Vaseline or diluted lemon juice on exposed parts to stop them turning brown
- Keep the pumpkin in the fridge when you aren’t in the house
My pumpkin pie recipe is my 'Roman Empire' - it's only 40 calories per slice
How long should I leave a pumpkin outside for Halloween?
Many people start carving pumpkins weeks before Halloween itself.
But it is probably not wise to leave yours outside your house until closer to the event.
Pumpkins will certainly be cooler by your front door than kept in a cosy living room.
This way your carved pumpkin is unlikely to last much longer than a week.
And don't forget you can also eat pumpkin, so here's some tasty recipes to follow.
Can you leave pumpkin out for wildlife?
Graham said: "Many people mistakenly think that they can simply leave pumpkins out for wildlife to eat.
"But it can actually disrupt the natural diet of certain animals and make them unwell."
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