How to buy, prep, carve, preserve your pumpkin

  • By JENNIFER FORKER
    Associated Press
  • Sunday, October 21th, 2012
    This 2011 publicity photo provided by Maniac Pumpkin Carvers shows an alligator carved from a pumpkin serving as guerrilla-style street art in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Maniac Pumpkin Carvers)

    This 2011 publicity photo provided by Maniac Pumpkin Carvers shows an alligator carved from a pumpkin serving as guerrilla-style street art in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Maniac Pumpkin Carvers)

    This undated publicity photo provided by Maniac Pumpkin Carvers shows the Maniac Pumpkin Carvers' interpretation of

    This undated publicity photo provided by Maniac Pumpkin Carvers shows the Maniac Pumpkin Carvers' interpretation of "Starry Night," by Vincent van Gogh, which was commissioned by the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, where it was displayed in the lobby last Halloween. For at least three months each Fall, pumpkin carvers Marc Evan and Chris Soria, of New York City, relinquish their illustrator occupations to carve fantastical pumpkins full-time to become the Maniac Pumpkin Carvers. (AP Photo/Maniac Pumpkin Carvers, Marc Evan)

    A bird house scene carved on a pumpkin.

    A bird house scene carved on a pumpkin.

    Pumpkin carver Marc Evan of the Food Network’s “Halloween Wars” team Dead Men Walking shows off a small pumpkin carving during the reality TV show’s second season, which airs every Sunday through October.

    Pumpkin carver Marc Evan of the Food Network’s “Halloween Wars” team Dead Men Walking shows off a small pumpkin carving during the reality TV show’s second season, which airs every Sunday through October.