Thread: How to keep Pumpkins fresh

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I read online that if you keep them in a cool place then they should keep fresh for quite some time.

However, I have some real small pumpkins left in the fridge and them seem to be growing some mould/hair on the stalk. Is that natural or does it mean they're soon to go off!!?? I wanted them for Halloween night of course

Any suggestions?

Pumpkins will last if you don't cut them and keep them in a cool place with plenty of ventilation. According to a pumpkin farmer friend of mine, the best place is on the covered front porch and the worst place is the front window above the radiator.

Once they have been carved, I had luck with smearing them with vasoline and wrapping them in plastic wrap between evenings. It makes for a slick pumpkin, but they do keep their shape longer without collapsing it seems. As for teh fuzzy ones, I think you are going to have to chalk that up to Halloween effects. :-)

if you have not carved the pumpkin any mold you see should be pretty much external. Once you puncture the outer skin, however, mold spores gain entry and can wreak havoc from within, particularly in a moderately cool, dim and moist environment. If it's external mold only--especially the grey-ish white fuzzy stuff called cat's fur--you ought to be able to wipe it off without much problem. Giles's idea about vaseline sounds like a fine way to seal a JoL and i suppose you could wax an uncut pumpkin like they wax apples for storage.

We never carve them more than about 2 days prior because of molding and collapse...however, the vaseline does help AND if your pumpkin is getting shrivelled...it is only drying out ...fill up your tub or large buket of water and let it soak for a while until it absorbs the water and comes back into shape which it will no matter how shrivelled it gets( pretty amazing actually), then dry it off as best you can apply the vaseline. The downside of doing this is that it brings the mold on full force in a day or so, but is great in an emergency. Not sure if the water trick will work if vaseline is already on it since that is supposed to seal it from water getting in.

They used to sell a pumpkin preservative that worked very well but I haven't seen it in years.

Thanks for the advice everyone

Well, they've been kept in the fridge, uncarved so I'm hoping that they're going to be okay and last until the party we're throwing on Friday!

Cheers

I've seen bleach suggested as a preservative to prevent mold growth.

I'm in South FL so they collapse in a day or two. I took one to work in an air-conditioned environment and it collapsed overnight on day 2. I've never seen one die -that- rapidly.

I don't think you need to keep them in the fridge if they're not carved. Also, when you buy them, make sure the stem is fresh and not dried or rotted.

This is what I do.

http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Mak...t-longer-11040

Keep the pumpkin submerged in water each night and it will stay fresh.