Page 135 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2025

If you pick your own pumpkin, try following these tips:
• The stem needs to have dried out somewhat.
• The rind needs to be hard. You should not be able to
push a nail in it as well as make a mark in the rind.
• If you knock on the pumpkin, it should sound hollow.
• The color should be typical of the variety.
• It may have a distinct “pumpkin-y” smell around the
stalk.
• When a pumpkin is ripe, the leaves will begin to lose
their color and get crispy indicating the vine is dying.
If you choose a pumpkin from the grocery store, try following these tips:
• Look for a firm, hard rind (no bruises or soft spots). • It should be heavy and have a hollow sound.
• Make sure the color is rich in whatever variety you
are purchasing.
• No splits or cracks.
• Make sure the stem is intact, and do not carry it by
the stem.
Using Pumpkins for Fall Décor
Be sure and choose the right pumpkin for the decorating you have in mind. For example, if you plan on carving a Jack-O-Lantern, select a large, symmetrical pumpkin that is uniformly-shaped. Smaller pumpkins in various colors might
be cute surrounding your large one. Also, stacking pumpkins for your indoor or outdoor decorations has
become popular. You can use faux or fresh pumpkins for this decor. To create stacked pumpkins that are sturdy, start with a flat, stable base like a grapevine wreath, then secure pumpkins together using glue and wire if needed. If these are fresh pumpkins, make sure you cut the stems even with the base of the pumpkin and use a tough glue
to adhere them. You may even need to use wooden dowels to
keep them from falling over. Pumpkin stacks are more
appealing when odd numbers
are used.
Using Pumpkins for Cooking
Everyone loves the smell of a pumpkin
pie baking. The Libby’s Recipe on the can
of pumpkin is probably one of the most popular recipes in America for making a classic pumpkin pie.
Ingredients
1 (9 inch) unbaked deep-dish pie crust 3⁄4 cup white sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1⁄2 tsp salt
1⁄2 tsp ground ginger
1⁄4 tsp ground cloves
2 large eggs
1 (15 ounce) can Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 (12 fluid ounce) can Nestle Carnation Evaporated Milk
Directions
• Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Combine sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and cloves in small bowl.
• Beat eggs lightly in large bowl, then stir in pumpkin and sugar-
spice mix.
• Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour into pie shell.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature
to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and continue to bake until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean, 40 to 50 more minutes. Remove from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
• Serve cooled pie immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. (Do not freeze as this will cause the crust to separate from the filling.)
Whether you pick your own pumpkins or choose your pumpkins at a grocery store, pumpkins are a great way to celebrate the season.
Gaye Winter, Ph.D., teaches English at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and is currently serving as President of the Biloxi Garden Club. Reach
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
October 2025 | 135
her at gaye.winter@mgccc.edu.