As autumn goes into full swing, pumpkin season begins. It can be difficult to always find a pumpkin perfect for the occasion. This guide is designed to help you out!
What are you using the pumpkin for?
It’s important to ask yourself what the purpose of your pumpkin is. Different ones are more desirable for different uses. For example, smaller pumpkins with smooth surfaces are ideal for carving while smaller and firmer pumpkins are better for cooking. In this piece, we will be focusing on those two purposes.
Pumpkins for Carving
A carving pumpkin should be large enough to cut designs into, but a reasonable size that you can manage holding it. If you struggle to carry the pumpkin in both hands, it’s most likely too big. It should feel sturdy when you pick it up and firm if you pressed your fingers into it. Soft spots on the surface indicate the pumpkin beginning to decay, and should be avoided. As well, the desired surface is smooth and unblemished. The stem should be bright green, indicating a mature fruit. Most importantly, make sure the pumpkin has a flat bottom so that it will stand up straight once carved. Once your pumpkin is picked, happy carving!
Pumpkins for Cooking
Pumpkins can add a nice flair of autumnal flavor to your dish, but the type of pumpkin you would want is different from a carving pumpkin. Cooking pumpkins are smaller and sweeter. Some pumpkin varieties are known for cooking, such as Sugar Pie, Cinderella, Lumina, and Fairytale. These pumpkins are littler (around 4-8 pounds) and are usually a vibrant orange color. Similar to carving pumpkins, you should stay away from ones with soft spots and blemishes. Enjoy making pies, soups, and more with your pumpkins.
Where to get Pumpkins
Luckily, this is the season where pumpkins are more accessible than ever. Usually you can find them displayed at your local grocery store like Stop & Shop. Most farms in the area offer pumpkin picking as well. The most local ones in our area include White Post Farms and Queens County Farm.
Now that you can find yourself the perfect pumpkin, enjoy the spooky season!
