How to Carve a Duck Pumpkin

A duck motif is a nice alternative for your carving project.

Carving a pumpkin is a time-honored Halloween tradition, but you don't need to limit yourself to the standard grinning face. Consider carving a pumpkin with a duck motif. Using a stencil, you can easily carve the outline of a wood duck, which takes little more skill than that needed to carve a jack o'lantern face.

Things You'll Need

• Pumpkin
• Carving knife
• Large serving-size spoon
• Gloves
• Duck stencil
• Tape
• Nail
• Candle

Instructions

1. Cut the top off the pumpkin with a carving knife, and set top aside.

2. Scoop out the seeds and pulp from inside the pumpkin, wearing a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands if desired. Discard the insides of the pumpkin.

3. Tape a printout of a duck sketch to the flattest side of the pumpkin. This will act as a stencil. Get a printed-out image by downloading one online or make a photocopy from a book or coloring book.

4. Poke holes along the primeter of the duck image, using a small nail. Make one hole about every 1/2 inch. Remove the stencil from the pumpkin and cut out the image left behind by the holes, using a sharp carving knife. Follow along connecting the holes until the entire duck image is cut out.

5. Place a lit candle inside the pumpkin and place the cut-off top back on the pumpkin.

References

• Chef in You: Carving Pumpkins with Stencils