Over the weekend, my boyfriend and I were invited to a wholesome pumpkin carving party. Rather than lug heavy gourds across Brooklyn, we’d planned to simply grab a couple on the way, alongside the necessary libations and lollies. Forty minutes and four stops later, we were still empty handed, and realised that we’d woefully overestimated the prevalence of pumpkins at bodegas and supermarkets. Rather than throw in the towel, we improvised. We scoured the options at a corner store near our destination and purchased the most pumpkin-like things we could find: Spaghetti squash and honeydew.
The items were a hit based on novelty alone, but things got really interesting when we actually started carving. Both items were actually pretty easy to saw, though there was some debate about how best to prop them up and where the lids should be. That said, our spontaneous purchase really paid off when we popped in the candles. The honeydew looked totally made for Halloween — it glowed neon green, and made us all wonder: Why isn’t this more of a thing? (For the record, my boyfriend carved it, and it’s the snowman sketch from The Snowman. I’m worried you guys will think it’s Pepe the Frog. It isn’t Pepe the Frog.)
So while you’re carving your beloved pumpkin jack-o-lantern this year – or if you’re also having trouble procuring the seasonal squash – consider challenging your knife-wielding skills with a different spherical food item. Watermelon, pineapple, oranges, apples, squash, zucchini, potatoes, turnips and capsicums are all good options, but the sky’s the limit at long as, you know, it isn’t a fire hazard. The shelf life may not be as long as with a pumpkin, depending on your choice, but if you’re looking to add some flair to your Halloween night display, this might just be the way to do it. Best of all? In some cases, there’s a built-in snack.
Comments