Usually, when I think of pumpkins and politics, Alger Hiss and Whittaker Chambers come to mind. But with Halloween approaching, we have the Internet to thank for something a lot more fun: some amazing political pumpkins and downloadable stencils to reproduce many of them.
The non-partisan one in the photo is from the Associated Press, of all places. As a fine news organization, its stencils favor no candidate or party. There are 11 of them, including party symbols, the presidential nominees and their wives and the vice presidential nominees. They’re just gorgeous and if I didn’t have a history of nearly slicing off a finger or two when tackling something like this, I’d try a couple.
Better Homes and Gardens has stencils of the top four candidates too, and you can vote in a poll while you’re there. A blog called Yes, We Carve is devoted to Obama-related jack o’lanterns and there are stencils and a contest to enter. Give yourself a leg up over the competition with pumpkin-carving tips at Copper Kachina, which might be one of the few places you’ll see a kitteh with a power tool.
And don’t forget to roast the seeds. Rinse them under cold water and remove all the pulp clinging to them. Spread them out in a single layer to dry, then season them and roast them in a single layer in a 250 degree oven for about an hour. Give them a stir every now and then.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Great entry.
A nice way to spice up the pumpkin seeds when roasting is to swirl them around in tamari or Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, then add some chili or cayenne pepper to the mix, just a little.
I got this idea from these, and make them at home:
http://www.edenfoods.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=112365
I do the same with organic sunflower seeds that I buy in bulk, dry roast them with Bragg’s liquid aminos, or tamari and some spices.
Deeeeelicious.
Fun entry, thanks!
Word Bandit’s last blog post..Supreme Court Clears Way For Troy Davis Execution
And how cute is the Barack O’ Latern site?!?!?!
What a find; how clever!
Word Bandit’s last blog post..Supreme Court Clears Way For Troy Davis Execution
It is fun stuff – and thanks for the link and good ideas. I like Eden and I love spicy seeds. When I was a kid my favorite part of Halloween was my mother roasting the seeds just with salt. There’s a unique taste to those roasted at home and it’s one I’ll never forget.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Ella:
Sweet post; I’m not doing anything for Halloween and may, indeed, carve an Obama jack o’lantern. And I love pumpkin seeds. Win-Win situation, it seems.
Oh, and now that I remember that you’re in New Hampshire:
You gotta see this.
leapsecond’s last blog post..Palin: New Hampshire is in the Northwest
Hi, leap – I saw it the day she said it and it wasn’t any easier to take now. I could understand a slip of the tongue but that wasn’t even close. She doesn’t even listen to herself.
So…I guess you won’t be carving a Caribou Barbie pumpkin too?
Yes We Carve rocks, thanks for the reference! It seems they would be difficult to carve though, even with the stencils !
Savory Tv’s last blog post..Penne pasta with pumpkin sauce with Chef Matteo Carboni
Hi. You’re welcome! I think a really sharp knife and someone or something to hold the pumpkin steady would make it easier. I will continue to bow to others’ awesomeness.
Happy Halloween!