How To Make A Jack O Lantern For Halloween

Jack o Lanterns are popular at Halloween (31st October). Children love to help to make the lantern.

1. Choose from the vegetable garden or buy a large pumpkin.
   
2. Cut a circular hole around the stalk of the pumpkin. (Try to tilt the point of the knife into the centre of the pumpkin as this will help to stop the lid from falling in.)
3. Scoop out the seeds and any loose flesh using a spoon and the knife if needed.
4. Sketch a face onto the pumpkin. Use a biro so any mistakes can be scrubbed off with a scouring pad or fingernail.
5. Carefully cut out the features of the face.
6. Scrape away the flesh on the inside of the face until it is only 1cm thick.
7. Using a knife, mark a circle the size of your candle or tea-light in the centre of the base.
8. Carefully hollow out the marked area with a teaspoon.
9. Place a candle in the hollow, light it and replace the lid of your jack-o'-lantern.

The inner flesh of the pumpkin can be:

• used to make soup.
• boiled to make mashed pumpkin and served with a main meal.
• cut up small, fried or roasted and added to a pasta or rice dish.

The pumpkin seeds can be roasted and eaten as a snack or added to a salad.

We currently have some short breaks available in the cottages over Halloween, so why not come and spend Halloween in North Yorkshire.

If you would like to book a stay at one of the Valley View Farm holiday cottages then you can book online by clicking on the link or alternatively book over the telephone on 01439 798221.