Jack-o’-Lanterns: The Legend of Stingy Jack and How to Carve a Pumpkin

The legend of Stingy Jack

An old Irish folk tale tells of Stingy Jack, a clever drunkard who tricked the Devil — not once but twice. In one version he talked the Devil into climbing an apple tree, then carved a cross into the trunk so he couldn’t come down. The Devil finally agreed never to take Jack’s soul.

When Jack died, heaven wouldn’t accept such a scoundrel, and the Devil kept his promise and turned him away too. He sent Jack off into the dark night with a single burning coal, which Jack placed inside a hollowed-out turnip to light his way. Ever since, the story goes, “Jack of the Lantern” has wandered the earth — and people carved scary faces into turnips and potatoes to frighten away Jack and other wandering spirits.

From turnips to pumpkins

In Ireland and Scotland, lanterns were carved from turnips, beets and potatoes. When immigrants arrived in North America, they found the pumpkin — a native squash that was large, bright and far easier to hollow out. By the late 1800s, the carved pumpkin had become a symbol of American Halloween.

How to choose the right pumpkin

• Look for a sturdy green stem. A dry, brown or missing stem often means the pumpkin is older and will rot sooner.
• Check for soft spots and bruises. Press gently all around, including the bottom.
• Pick a flat bottom so it sits steady on your porch.
• Tap it. A hollow sound usually means a ripe pumpkin.
• Carving vs. eating: large “jack-o’-lantern” varieties are bred for carving. For pies, choose small “sugar” or “pie” pumpkins.

Step-by-step pumpkin carving

• 1Cut the openingCut a lid around the stem at a slight inward angle so it won’t fall in — or cut a hole in the back or bottom for a cleaner look and easier lighting.
• 2Scoop it outRemove seeds and strings with a large spoon or scraper. Thin the front wall to about 1 inch so it’s easier to carve. Save the seeds for roasting!
• 3Draw or transfer a designSketch with a dry-erase marker, or tape a paper pattern on and poke along the lines with a pin.
• 4Carve from the center outUse a small serrated saw with gentle up-and-down strokes. Do the small details first and the big shapes last so the pumpkin stays strong.
• 5Light it safelyBattery LED candles are the safest choice, especially near costumes, kids and dry leaves.

Kids can join in safely by drawing the face and scooping the insides while an adult handles the knife. For very young children, paint or decorate pumpkins with stickers instead of carving.

How to make your jack-o’-lantern last longer

A carved pumpkin usually lasts about 3 to 7 days outdoors, depending on the weather. Warm, sunny days speed up rot; cold nights help. To stretch that time:

• Carve within a few days of Halloween, not weeks ahead.
• Wipe the inside and cut edges clean, then rub petroleum jelly or vegetable oil on the cut edges to slow drying.
• Keep it shaded during the day, and bring it inside or into the refrigerator on warm days.
• If it starts to shrivel, soak it face down in cold water for an hour to rehydrate it.
• Uncarved pumpkins last much longer — often a month or more — so decorate whole pumpkins early and carve close to the date.

Roasted pumpkin seeds

Rinse the seeds and pull off the strings. Pat them dry, toss with a little oil and salt, and spread in one layer on a baking sheet. Roast at 325°F for about 20–30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until golden and crunchy. Try cinnamon sugar, garlic powder or a pinch of chili for variety. More ideas on our Halloween recipes page.