Halloween 2022: How to save the pumpkin to make a lantern?

How to store the Halloween pumpkin:

Every year, many people carve pumpkins in anticipation of Halloween. 

This is because carved pumpkins that have been exposed to oxygen and various microorganisms such as mold and bacteria naturally begin to deteriorate.

Although you want your pumpkin to be in good condition for as long as possible, there are steps you can take to protect it.

So how do you properly store a Halloween pumpkin?

How to properly store a Halloween pumpkin?

Pumpkins can be stored on shelves, or pallets, but not on the floor. Indeed, the stems must be bent so that the adjacent pumpkins do not touch each other. Pumpkins can also be stored in hay or straw. If you are on the balcony, you must cover yourself with a cloth to protect yourself from the sun.

Store Halloween pumpkin without damaging the skin and stems or denting them. So there is no need to throw or pull the stalks when harvesting pumpkins. 

It is also recommended not to immediately clean the pumpkin in the basement. They say it should be kept in a sunny place to allow excess moisture to evaporate.

General Storage Tips

So that the fruit retains all its properties, and does not rot, follow these simple recommendations.

• Let the pumpkin dry in the sun for a day or two before sending it to the basement or apartment.
• Carefully check each copy. Do not store defective, damaged or dented pumpkins for long periods of time. It will soon start to rot.
• Stemless pumpkins are also not subject to storage. It should be cooked and eaten immediately. Otherwise, the pumpkin will rot in just a month.
• The temperature in the room where the pumpkin is stored should be quite cool. Do not exceed the +15°C mark. The optimum temperature is 8-10°C.
• Remember to stay hydrated. The relative humidity in the pumpkin room should be around 80%.
• An important aspect of pumpkin coolness is darkness. It is ideal to store the pumpkin in a dark room without a window, protecting the fruit from direct sunlight.
• The fruits should not be touched – this will lead to spoilage. If the surfaces of the piece cannot be separated from each other, place parchment paper between the fruits.
• The room must be regularly ventilated. Stale air accelerates fruit spoilage.

Storing whole pumpkin

It is possible to freeze a whole pumpkin and it is incredibly beneficial for storage. Indeed, you don't have to modify the pumpkin, you just have to put it in the right place.

The basis for freezing the whole pumpkin is that it should not be damaged, cut, or have the tail pulled off.

Below are further instructions to ensure your pumpkin is fully preserved:

• Lighting : Pumpkins should be stored in the darkest room possible, out of direct sunlight. On the balcony, the fetus should also be protected from the sun. You need to glue the windows or cover the fruit with parchment or newspaper.
• Temperature : The optimum temperature at which the fruit remains fresh for several months is 8-10°C. It is easier to maintain such conditions on the balcony, but in the pantry the temperature usually remains at 15-20 ° C. For this reason, pumpkins in the pantry deteriorate faster.
• Humidity : Pumpkins are stored at high humidity (70-80%). On the balcony it is not difficult to maintain such humidity, especially in rainy weather, but in the closet you need to install a humidifier and regularly air the room.

Freezer Pumpkin Storage

You can also store the pumpkin in the freezer. Indeed, all varieties of pumpkins are prone to freezing. So, the main rule is that vegetables should be ripe, but not overripe. Do not freeze damaged pumpkins, damaged stems or rotten stems.

What types of pumpkins should be frozen?

There are three main groups of pumpkin varieties consumed: 

• Muscat: the sweetest, but with a thin skin, which allows you to store the fruit in the room until winter. They differ in unusual colors and the shape of the bottle. 
• Hard bark: the name speaks for itself, these vegetables are stored for a long time due to their dense skin. 
• Large-fruited varieties: leaders in weight, also well stored in the cellar.

Read also : Deco: 27 Best Easy Halloween Pumpkin Carving Ideas & Guide: How to successfully organize your Halloween party?

How do you store a pumpkin?

Pumpkins are best kept in the basement. But, it is only in a good cellar that the conditions that suit it will be maintained. Such storage should be:

• Dry: 75-80% humidity

• dark

• costs

• Ventilation

If at least one of these conditions is not met, the durability of the pumpkin will be greatly reduced. For example, too much moisture reduces the shelf life by 2-3 months. Too low a temperature is also detrimental and has a negative impact on quality retention.

But not everyone has a good basement. Where then can you store pumpkins?

The list is long and everyone can adapt as much as they can: balconies, loggias, storage rooms, garages, pantries, attics, basements, and even the space under the bed, everything can be used as under -floor.

How to store a pumpkin once it has started?

It is recommended to put the opened Halloween pumpkin in a plastic bag, put in a special container for vegetables and fruits and put in the refrigerator. Therefore, it can be stored for up to 2 weeks.

To keep it in its original form, we recommend:

• Lubricate with vegetable oil to prevent discoloration.
• Wrap in aluminum foil to prevent it from becoming too dry.

Despite these recommendations, it is important to know that opened pumpkins cannot be stored for more than 10 days, even in the refrigerator. Therefore, the pumpkin should be processed in a practical way as soon as possible.

To read: 3 Techniques to Slow Down and Block a Water Meter

Conclusion

Pumpkins are one of the main attributes of Halloween. However, there are other recognizable elements of this holiday. Indeed, participants in festive events are dressed in various costumes, among which the images of witches, werewolves, vampires and others are popular.

On this day there will be music suitable for festivals and the food will be decorated in a slightly spooky way. Autumn symbols play an important role in festive home decoration, and black and orange are considered traditional colors.

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