We’re now well into October, which means that for many, including those of us on the farm, it’s all about pumpkins. Specifically, jack-o’-lantern pumpkins, which are the classic bright orange ones you’re probably seeing aglow on porches right about now.

Did you know that for the first time ever, Red Dog is growing big, beautiful jack-o’-lantern pumpkins? Not only are we upping our seasonal spirit by doing so, but also providing you and others the opportunity to source this year’s most fun and festive decoration from your nearby local farm.

And not only fun and festive, but surprisingly versatile! From the first exterior sketch of what you’ll carve into it until the last bit of fleshy decomposition, these jack-o’-lanterns provide a wide range of aesthetic, culinary, creative, and functional uses.

First, as we all know, the main reason for obtaining a jack-o’-lantern is to carve it out with a silly face or spooky scene and put a candle inside for all passersby to enjoy. This makes for a great activity with kids, friends, or other social gatherings (think coworkers, book clubs, stitching groups, etc.). It’ll scratch a creative itch and provide that hard-to-come-by feeling of digging elbow-deep into slimy innards, but in a socially acceptable way. It may seem a bit corny depending on your age, but once you get into it, I promise you’ll be proud to display your gourd-geous creation for all to see, and you’ll get to reap the benefits of what pumpkins have to offer on the inside as well as the outside.

As you may know, pumpkin seeds make for a delicious snack when dried, seasoned, and roasted. I like to use rosemary and garlic salt on mine. They also store well and are sure to provide snacky relief and Halloween nostalgia for weeks to come. Additionally, the orange goop you scooped out prior to carving can be used in the kitchen! Make your own pumpkin puree and use it in endless cooking and baking endeavors. It’ll be so much more satisfying to put your own locally-sourced organic pumpkin puree into a pie or soup than the gelatinous glob you’ll find in a can, and it’ll surely taste better.

So after the 31^st, what then? We all know the feeling of walking past a once-proud jack-o’-lantern right around Thanksgiving that has turned into a slumpy, grayish blob. Instead, prolong the nutritional life of your new friend by adding it to your compost pile, or break it into pieces and scatter it around the yard to provide joyful sustenance for birds and wildlife.

Whatever uses you discover and utilize, you don’t want to miss out on the one time of year that the diversity of pumpkins is celebrated most fully. You can find your RDF jack-o’-lantern at our Farmstand or at the Saturday and Sunday Farmers Markets. Happy carving!

~Karyn L