by Cliodhna Harvey
Halloween is almost upon us, and today is a great time to celebrate the symbolic seasonal vegetable as it is World Pumpkin Day.
We’ve found a tasty recipe to try out that is simple and sweet and doesn’t involve scooping out those nasty seeds. We’ve also sourced some top tips for carving the perfect pumpkin so you can get creative and bring your own element of spooky fun to the home. Happy Halloween!
Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
Here’s a fun way to make snacks or treats for Halloween parties, created by CincyShopper.com.
Ingredients
6 cups Rice Krispie cereal
3 tbs butter
10 oz marshmallows (approx 1 Bag)
Red and yellow food colouring (to make orange color)
12 Tootsie Rolls
1 green fruit roll-up (you will only be able to find the blue/green combo)
Method
Melt your butter in a large sauce pan over low heat
Add marshmallows and stir constantly until melted
Remove from heat
Add approx 4 drops of red food colouring and 2 drops yellow food colouring – add until you have a nice bright orange color
Mix in Rice Krispies
Form small balls into the shape of a pumpkin (Tip: Add non-stick cooking spray to your hands before forming the balls)
Cut Tootsie Roll in half and add a half into each pumpkin while still warm
Cut small leaves from the green portion of your fruit roll-up
Recipe source: http://cincyshopper.com/pumpkin-rice-krispie-treats/
Here are seven easy pumpkin carving tips from FamilyHoliday.net 
1. Good carving starts with the right pumpkin
Choose one that is fresh plump round shape with a rich, orange color, with a sturdy stem as this will later serve as an important design feature and no bruises-blemish-free- and that has a flat bottom so it won’t roll. But in case if you have an idea what type of faces you may be interested in carving, you may take the shape of the pumpkin into consideration; tall, triangular, flat, cone shape….
2. Cut out the top (or bottom);
When cutting out the top or the bottom of your pumpkin make sure you cut a simple shape… a square and it should be big enough so that you will be able to easily scoop out the guts (the seeds and membrane) of the pumpkin.
Angle your carving tool or knife when cutting out the lid cut on an angle, not straight up and down so that the outside edge is a bit larger than the inside. This ensures that the lid will not fall through once it is cut out and your lid won’t drop inside! A boning knife works best for this.
3. Scooping out the pumpkin:
Use an ice cream scoop will do just fine instead buying a special “claw”. Starting at the top, scrape the seeds and membrane on the sides of the pumpkin, so the inner wall of the “face” area to 1 1/4-inch thick and the interior of the pumpkin is smooth and clean and the bottom (inside) of the pumpkin flat.
4. Designing your masterpiece
If you’re going for high art, don’t start carving free-style – use a marker pen to print or draw your design onto the pumpkin first. If you want your lantern to look really professional, draw a paper template, and then tape it onto the pumpkin.
Then use a sharp pointed tool to trace the design through the paper and onto the pumpkin to poke holes around the design so the paper can be removed or sketch your design directly onto the pumpkin with a dry-erase or water-based marker. Use a knife with a thin, long blade to cut out your design, starting at the center and working outwards. Take your time and be careful as you carve.
5. Keep your pumpkin last longer and fresh
A pumpkin can last for about a week once it is carved. Spread petroleum jelly on the cut edges to prolong its life a few extra days by sealing in its moisture, this works as a barrier and delays rotting.
* Petroleum jelly is flammable so wait until it sets or coat the pumpkin before you place the candle inside
6. To keep your Jack indoors
Sprinkle a little cinnamon nutmeg and cloves inside the lid. When you light the candle, your jack-o-lantern will smell like an autumn air freshener.
Source: http://www.familyholiday.net/
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