The Skin Care Secret for Long-Lasting Squash
Pumpkins can benefit from a skin care routine not unlike our own: a thorough cleanse followed by a moisture-locking finish. No need to head to Sephora, though; you can concoct a pumpkin skin-loving mixture with two everyday ingredients.
In a large container — an orange Homer bucket from Home Depot coordinates with the season — mix 10 parts water to one part white vinegar, adding enough of each to ensure that your pumpkin or gourd is fully submerged. If you’re not carving your pumpkin, soak it this mixture for about 30 minutes, then wipe it dry with a towel. If you are making a jack-o’-lantern, do the vinegar soak immediately after carving while the flesh is still fresh. The final step is to rub down the pumpkin’s surface with a light layer of any food-grade oil you have on hand, like vegetable or olive oil.
Why Does It Work?
Vinegar is mildly acetic and antifungal, which makes it a natural cleaner. In this case, vinegar kills mold spores that cause pumpkins to rot. Jack-o’-lanterns are particularly susceptible to growing mold — sometimes in a matter of days — because the sugary, yellow flesh under the thick orange rind gets exposed to air, creating a perfect breeding ground for fungus. The coat of oil also delays the decay process by acting like a replacement protective barrier. Straight vinegar is usually too harsh for most surfaces, so always dilute it with plenty of water if you’re using it to clean.
When To Wash Your Pumpkins
The best way to preserve a pumpkin is to start with a young, healthy one. Pick out a pumpkin that’s solid orange, has a thick skin that’s resistant to scratching from your nails, and is topped with a dark, dry stem. Pumpkins with dark spots or discolorations can be cleaned, but they’ll rot faster than healthier squash. This rinse-and-oil routine can preserve and clean any type of pumpkin, whether you’re planning to eat it, leave it whole for fall-themed decorating, or carve it for Halloween.
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