Hollow pumpkins out thoroughly, but don’t overdo it Microbes can reside and multiply on small amounts of pumpkin debris stuck in the teeth of dirty carving knives.Įven if you are not carving your pumpkin, wiping it down isn’t a bad idea, since it may have small bruises or cracks that are easy to overlook. This is especially important if you plan to carve them: Piercing the dirty rind with a sharp tool will introduce these eager visitors deeper into the heart of your pumpkin. To get rid of them, wipe down your pumpkins, preferably with a bleach wipe or two. Removing these organisms, and any eggs they may have affixed to your pumpkin’s rind, will help preserve it. Pumpkins spend most of their lives in fields, developing on top of soil that teems with fungi, bacteria, water molds and soil-dwelling animals like nematodes, insects and mites. Once home, don’t carry your pumpkin by the stem, which can lead to breakage, especially if it is big and heavy. My family often uses seat belts to protect ours. Secure your pumpkins en route to your house so they don’t suffer bruising or stem breakage. Some of those microbes could colonize your unsuspecting pumpkins. Most of us transport pets, kids, muddy hiking boots and food in our cars, which makes our vehicles giant petri dishes harboring common environmental molds and bacteria. Keeping the rind defect-free and stem intact ensures your prized pumpkin a longer shelf life.
Happy jack o lantern 2 teeth crack#
A bruise or crack will allow opportunistic fungi, bacteria, water molds and small insects to invade and colonize your pumpkins. Post-harvest diseases – those that occur after the pumpkin is removed from the vine – can happen anywhere between the field where they were grown and your front step. Is the stem loose? Is there a clear break in the rind? Are there any water-soaked spots on the exterior? Whether you plan to carve them or not, choose pumpkins that are not damaged, dented or diseased. This may seem obvious, but shop for a pumpkin in the same way that you shop the produce aisle. The round ball-like structures forming inside the eye socket are fungus. Matt Kasson, CC BY-SA Pick a healthy pumpkin and transport it carefully This jack-o’-lantern carved from a pumpkin with a preexisting fungal disease, southern blight, is showing symptoms of soft rot, especially around the nose and eye. Here are some tips that can help your epic carving outlast the Day of the Dead. Top with minced parsley if desired.Fall fun: A guide for pumpkin picking in NY, NJĪs a plant pathologist, gardener and self-described pumpkin fanatic, I have both boldly succeeded and miserably failed at growing, properly carving and keeping these iconic winter squash in their prime through the end of October. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour until peppers are tender and golden brown. Stuff the peppers with the couscous mixture and put the top back on, and place in a large baking dish with rimmed edges. Carefully make jack-o-lantern faces on the flat side of each pepper (triangle eyes and pointed-teeth smiles). For the peppers, cut off the tops and de-seed them. Add the feta cheese, and check for seasoning. Once the couscous is fully cooked, fluff it with a fork and add the couscous into the sautéed vegetables and stir to combine. Season with fresh rosemary, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Add carrots, then zucchini, then mushrooms until softened to your preference. While the couscous is cooking, sauté onion and garlic with 2 tbsp of olive oil until translucent. Once it is boiling, cover it and turn down the heat to medium-low and simmer until all the liquid has been absorbed, about 10-12 minutes. In a medium saucepan, add 1 & 3/4 cups chicken or vegetable stock, toasted couscous, and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Toast for about 5 minutes over medium heat until golden brown. To start the filling for the peppers, begin by toasting the couscous in a large pan with 1 tbsp of olive oil. 3 tbsp Wild Groves Double Garlic Olive Oil, divided.1 & 3/4 cups chicken or vegetable stock.
Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe: Packed with veggies, Israeli couscous, fresh herbs, a bit of feta cheese, and our Double Garlic Olive Oil, we’re hoping this healthy dish cancels out all the candy 😂 These stuffed peppers are also incredibly versatile – if you don’t care for couscous or don’t have it on hand, you can use another whole grain such as brown rice, wild rice, barley, farro, or quinoa. Happy Halloween! We’re celebrating this spooky holiday with these festive Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Peppers.
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