Preserving Your Pumpkins for Fall

Fall is a really special time in Saudi. The weather is amazing and for us folk who live in small houses with large yards, this means we can finally start entertaining groups larger than 8…

So every year, I buy a whole bunch of mini pumpkins to use as decorative accessories for the entire fall season. Since pumpkins are a little expensive here, I’ve tested out a method for preserving mine. Luckily, for the past couple of years, my pumpkins end up lasting for at least a month or 2 because of it!

I’ve used this method in the past except that I’ve changed my process just slightly, so I thought I’d share what I do…

What you need:

• Bleach
• Dish Soap
• Bucket (I used the kitchen sink this time)
• Clear acrylic sealer (matte) or Vaseline if you have nothing else

I’ve seen mini pumpkins in our local compound grocery store and larger ones in Tamimi!

Fill a bucket or your kitchen sink with a gallon of water (more if you have a larger pumpkin) and add 3-4 tbsp. of bleach as well as a squirt of some dish soap. I’ve added more bleach than this in the past, but then make sure to take your pumpkins out a little earlier.

I got this can from Jarir for SR 21

Leave them in the mixture for about 20 minutes (not longer than 30 minutes). This is the first time I’m trying a larger pumpkin so let’s see how that turns out!

Once you’ve taken them out, dry them really well, and then outside for a couple of coats of Clear Acrylic Sealer in matte.

See? Doesn’t look glossy and still looks real!

I love the matte finish more than using Vaseline only because I prefer to not have glossy pumpkins. If you like that sorta thing though, then try out the Vaseline and rub it in with a soft cloth.

I’m gonna paint mine soon, so stay tuned for the updated version of these preserved beauties!!