Halloween is here, and instead of the carved pumpkins seen lining doorsteps and driveways five years ago, there are flashing lights reminiscent of Christmas. Contrary to the ideas this may conjure, pumpkin carving has not fallen out of fashion.
A recent poll on the Ocean Lakes High School student body shows that 95% of the students surveyed have carved pumpkins for Halloween, while 67.5% continue with the tradition today.
Senior Taylor Martinez spoke of her six-year-old sister’s excitement to watch her big sister carve the face of her favorite character into a pumpkin this year.
“I still carve pumpkins for Halloween because of my baby sister,” Taylor said. “I end up doing it with her every year.”
Pumpkin carving is a great tradition for family bonding, encouraging fun, collaboration and even a little friendly competition.
“I’ve been carving pumpkins every year since I was little, and it’s become a tradition with my brother and me,” junior Callie Harroun said. “We make it a little competition to see who can make the best pumpkin carving.”
Even outside of participating with family and friends, fun can be found in the slicing and spading of this orange vegetable.
“I love scooping the guts out of it and scaring people with it,” Callie said.
In that vein, 10% of the poll takers called pumpkin carving unappealing, doubting the appealing nature of this classic Halloween tradition. Several pumpkin carvers oppose this view, even going so far as to create their own autumnal snacks out of the pumpkins.
“I love roasting the seeds afterwards and eating them,” Taylor said.
When asked if pumpkin seeds could be an autumnal snack staple, or if this culinary adventure would only be undertaken by a few people, Taylor said, “I think pumpkin seeds could be a great autumn snack food. Many people I know already love to roast them. They taste even better if you season them.”
Whether or not someone likes the flavor of roasted pumpkin seeds or scooping out the so-called guts of the pumpkin, pumpkin carving embodies Halloween spirit by having something for everyone.
“It’s a really fun way to make something beautiful,” Callie said.
