Pumpkin Carving Made Easy & Ideas for How to Use Leftover Pumpkin
As autumn settles in and Halloween approaches, now is the perfect time to get ready for some spooky fun! In other words, it’s time for those Halloween decorations to go up and to prepare for some pumpkin carving activities with family and friends (oh, and there’s the indulging in delicious treats…and picking out a clever costume, of course!). But before you can create your spooky designs, there’s the often-dreaded task of removing the pulp and seeds from inside the pumpkin.
With searches for ‘pumpkin carving kit’ surging by over 5000% in the past month, we spoke with Isabella Forgione, small appliance expert at AO.com to share her tips for a game-changing method that will make this messy job quick and easy. So have a read below for her tips and let the Halloween festivities begin!
Isabella Forgione says: “Start by cutting a lid at the top of your pumpkin large enough to fit your whisk attachment. Make sure you cut at an angle to prevent the lid from falling inside when removed.
“Attach the whisk to your stand mixer, or you can use a hand mixer. Slowly feed the pumpkin under the whisk as you would with a mixing bowl, setting it to a low or medium-low speed while holding onto the pumpkin.
“Once the whisk collects the seeds, turn off the mixer and lift it out. You can then scoop out the remaining seeds and pulp with a spoon. A second pass with the whisk will help get rid of any stubborn bits, leaving your pumpkin clean and ready for carving.
“With the help of your stand mixer, cleaning out a pumpkin has never been this easy.
When it comes to the pumpkin itself, don’t let the leftover filling go to waste!
“The seeds can be roasted with a sprinkle of salt or spices for a delicious snack that’s perfect for autumn evenings.” Isabella recommends.
“As for the pumpkin pulp, it’s incredibly versatile—use it to make a warming pumpkin soup, add it to curries for a seasonal twist, or blend it into smoothies for a nutrient-packed treat. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even bake a classic pumpkin pie or try making homemade pumpkin bread, ensuring nothing from your pumpkin goes unused.”
AO has also shared a TikTok video showing this pumpkin-carving hack in action, so you can follow along step by step.