Not So Traditional Jack-O-Lanterns For Halloween
Carving jack-o-lanterns is so old-school. While we still enjoy Jack’s glowing smile on our front porch, we wanted to give Halloween some updated charm. Did you know that the first jack-o-lantern wasn’t even a pumpkin? The turnip holds that distinction. There’s an Irish legend that says a fellow named Stingy Jack roams the world carrying an ember in a turnip. Soon, Irish immigrants would bring their tradition of carving turnips to America. In their spirit, we found a list of alternative jack-o-lanterns options that you can find right at Farmview!
Try carving: Sweet Potatoes, zucchini, butternut squash, watermelon, bananas, apples, and pineapples.
But, if you’re still obsessed with pumpkins (and, who could blame you?) we’ve found some updated jack-o-lanterns that are so cute, they’re to die for! In fact, we’re kind of obsessed with these painted pumpkins from Style and Cheek. Trick or Treat Yo’ Self!
Paint your pumpkins whatever color you’d like! Try doing a white “primer” layer first and then adding the color. That way, the paint colors you choose will pop!
Download and print the puns (which are mirrored on purpose!) onto tattoo paper according to package instructions. You’ll follow all the same directions to apply the tattoo to the pumpkin, just as if you were applying it to your skin. Allow the printer ink to dry completely before applying it to the pumpkin.
Have a wet rag/paper towel ready but DO NOT get the tattoo wet until it’s on the pumpkin. Peel the clear sheet off, leaving the adhesive behind and place the tattoo where desired and rub with the wet cloth for 10-15 seconds. Carefully peel the paper off, leaving your tattoo behind! For the larger puns or if your pumpkin is super round, you can work in sections or cut the words of the tattoo apart and do one at a time.
Still hungry for more Halloween fun? Try eating your Jack-O-Lantern! You can create these edible jack-o-lanterns, using orange bell peppers and a steady hand with a paring knife.
Add chicken to the bottom of the slow cooker, sprinkle seasonings on top and then cover with diced tomatoes. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours. Shred chicken and allow it to remain in sauce.
Bring a large pot of water to boil. While you are waiting for the water to boil, rinse peppers, slice off the tops and hollow out the insides, be sure to remove any seeds and the white part inside.
Use a small paring knife to cut out a jack-o-lantern face. When water is boiling, put the peppers and tops in and allow to cook for about 5 minutes until peppers are tender.
Remove from water and set aside to cool. Mix the rice, shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, and black beans together in a large bowl. Fill each pepper with the chicken and rice mixture and top with extra cheese, if desired.
Replace pepper top back on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until cheese is melted and pepper is done to desired tenderness. Alternately, once peppers are stuffed, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate, when ready to cook, preheat oven to 350 degrees, remove plastic wrap and bake for 1 hour.
And, these Mason Jar Jack-O-Lanterns take the mess out of pumpkin carving. Plus, you can customize these luminaries using different stickers and spray paint colors.
Place sticker on your mason jar. You just want something large enough to make an impact and a good shape.
Spray the entire Mason jar, including the sticker, with primer. This will help the paint stick better to the glass jar. Let dry completely. Then, spray the entire Mason jar with the spray paint color of your choice.
Let the paint dry completely, preferably overnight. Carefully peel the stickers off. Place some type of light inside (tea light, battery operated light, etc.) and enjoy the gorgeous glow!
Try carving: Sweet Potatoes, zucchini, butternut squash, watermelon, bananas, apples, and pineapples.But, if you’re still obsessed with pumpkins (and, who could blame you?) we’ve found some updated jack-o-lanterns that are so cute, they’re to die for! In fact, we’re kind of obsessed with these painted pumpkins from Style and Cheek. Trick or Treat Yo’ Self!
DIY Pun-Kins
Materials
- Pun Printables (click to download)
- Pumpkins
- Craft Paint
- Tattoo Paper
- Damp Towel or Damp Paper Towel
Directions
Paint your pumpkins whatever color you’d like! Try doing a white “primer” layer first and then adding the color. That way, the paint colors you choose will pop!
Download and print the puns (which are mirrored on purpose!) onto tattoo paper according to package instructions. You’ll follow all the same directions to apply the tattoo to the pumpkin, just as if you were applying it to your skin. Allow the printer ink to dry completely before applying it to the pumpkin.
Have a wet rag/paper towel ready but DO NOT get the tattoo wet until it’s on the pumpkin. Peel the clear sheet off, leaving the adhesive behind and place the tattoo where desired and rub with the wet cloth for 10-15 seconds. Carefully peel the paper off, leaving your tattoo behind! For the larger puns or if your pumpkin is super round, you can work in sections or cut the words of the tattoo apart and do one at a time.
Still hungry for more Halloween fun? Try eating your Jack-O-Lantern! You can create these edible jack-o-lanterns, using orange bell peppers and a steady hand with a paring knife.
Shredded Chicken & Rice Stuffed Peppers (HALLOWEEN STYLE)
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 can tomatoes with green chilies, diced
- 4 bell peppers, your choice of color
- 2 cups Mexican rice
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
Directions
Add chicken to the bottom of the slow cooker, sprinkle seasonings on top and then cover with diced tomatoes. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours. Shred chicken and allow it to remain in sauce.
Bring a large pot of water to boil. While you are waiting for the water to boil, rinse peppers, slice off the tops and hollow out the insides, be sure to remove any seeds and the white part inside.
Use a small paring knife to cut out a jack-o-lantern face. When water is boiling, put the peppers and tops in and allow to cook for about 5 minutes until peppers are tender.
Remove from water and set aside to cool. Mix the rice, shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, and black beans together in a large bowl. Fill each pepper with the chicken and rice mixture and top with extra cheese, if desired.
Replace pepper top back on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until cheese is melted and pepper is done to desired tenderness. Alternately, once peppers are stuffed, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate, when ready to cook, preheat oven to 350 degrees, remove plastic wrap and bake for 1 hour.
And, these Mason Jar Jack-O-Lanterns take the mess out of pumpkin carving. Plus, you can customize these luminaries using different stickers and spray paint colors.
Halloween Mason Jar Luminaries
Materials
- Mason Jars with Lids
- Spray Paint (Orange, Black, Gold, White)
- Spray Primer
- Halloween stickers
Directions
Place sticker on your mason jar. You just want something large enough to make an impact and a good shape.
Spray the entire Mason jar, including the sticker, with primer. This will help the paint stick better to the glass jar. Let dry completely. Then, spray the entire Mason jar with the spray paint color of your choice.
Let the paint dry completely, preferably overnight. Carefully peel the stickers off. Place some type of light inside (tea light, battery operated light, etc.) and enjoy the gorgeous glow!