Class 142: Pumpkin Carving Night and Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin carving night is our favorite Halloween tradition, and it runs on two things: a well-carved jack-o-lantern and a sheet pan of roasted pumpkin seeds.
Start with the seeds, because everything else flows from there. Scoop every seed into a bowl instead of the trash; those seeds are tomorrow’s best snack. Cut the pumpkin lid at an angle so it sits back on cleanly, and scrape the inside walls to about one inch thick. Thin walls glow brighter through the cuts, and they carve easier too. For safety, let the kids draw the face with a marker and handle the scooping. An adult takes the knife, with short, controlled cuts, always cutting away from the body.
Then the seeds get their moment. Rinse them, pat them dry, toss with a little olive oil and Garlic Herb finishing salt, and roast at 300°F for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Coarse salt flakes sit on the seeds instead of dissolving into the oil, so every handful gets a bright, savory crunch. Make a second batch with Smoked Chili salt if your crew likes heat.
Now the fun part: carve in your costume. Set out the seeds, light the porch pumpkins, and let the neighborhood judge. Post a photo of your jack-o-lantern with you in costume and tell us who wins the homemade-costume bragging rights at your house.
Stock up on Smoked Chili and Garlic Herb finishing salts at kearneyfamily.farm
Show us your carving night setup. Post your jack-o-lantern in costume below. Which batch are you roasting first: Garlic Herb or Smoked Chili? Best homemade costume gets bragging rights. We read every comment.