For next Hallowe'en: how to make a turnip/swede/rutabaga lantern

[cloudsinvenice]

I get asked about making these every year, so this time I thought I'd take pictures during the process and make a tutorial. This is probably more than you need to know (in the later stages it's not unlike working with pumpkin; there's just more resistance), but here's something to bookmark in case you make one next year or for some other festival

Comments

[semyaza]

I find them way creepier than pumpkins. Also, much harder to make (and riskier for fingers). Have you ever tried a serrated spoon?

[cloudsinvenice]

I didn't realise there was such a thing, but if I ever come across one it will be purchased specifically for this task!

[semyaza]

Grapefruit spoon. The extent of the serration varies. The coarser the serration, the better, I would think. It's not necessary for pumpkins so I haven't tried it.

[cloudsinvenice]

Ahhh, now that makes sense! I've never actually eaten them, but my mother sometimes has one for breakfast, so might well have some grapefruit spoons...

[davesmusictank]

Much creepier than pumpkins.

[cloudsinvenice]

I think that, looking the way they do, you can't forget that they come from beneath the earth... something sinister in that!

[cloudsinvenice]

Doing three of them in one go was over-reaching a bit; I kept nodding off during our Hammer horror movie marathon in the evening!

[pandaren]

Yyyyyup, I'm definitely favorite'ing this entry! Awesome tutorial, as I've never even seen or heard of people doing this with turnips. Definitely creepier than a Jack O'Lantern!!

[cloudsinvenice]

It's traditional in Britain and Ireland and was the only vegetable people here used when I was a kid, but somewhere in the 90s pumpkins caught on - so much easier, and with a bit of supervision older kids can actually carve it themselves instead of an adult having to do the whole thing!

[pandaren]

Oh wow, that's way cool to know! I'll have to try it out next year though, I love learning new things, especially for Halloween-related crafts and such :D

[cloudsinvenice]

Thank you! :D