Food - Drink
The Best Way To Preserve Whole Fresh Pumpkin
By NATASHA BAILEY
Corn and apples may be popular for husking and plucking from trees, but for autumn produce, nothing beats the pumpkin. From jack-o-lantern carving and Thanksgiving pumpkin pie to pumpkin spice lattes, it seems like no part of the fall season escapes the pumpkin, but this squash is rather delicate and should be stored properly.
Once you take your pumpkins home from the patch, keep them in cool, dry places such as a cellar or shed. Michigan State University says the optimal temperature is 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit; pumpkins will keep for 3 months in this condition, as long as you keep them away from moisture, which can attract bacteria and mold.
Also, don't touch your pumpkins too much, since the oils in our skin quicken the rotting process, and avoid picking them up by the stem, which can cause the stem to snap off and shorten the pumpkin’s life expectancy. If you have to move your pumpkins before it's time to carve (or cook) them, give them a rinse and thorough drying afterward.