How to Make a Lantern out of a Rhutabaga or Turnip : A Seasonal Tutorial

The jack-o-lantern originated in Ireland and the vegetable used to make them was a large turnip. They also used other root vegetables that were readily available like rhutabagas and potatoes. It wasn't until the irish immigrated to America and discovered the easy to carve pumpkins that they became the traditional carving vegetable. So turnips are hard to carve, I am always up for a challenge, aren't you. If you are then you will need a large turnip or rhutabaga. These are plentiful at the farmers markets right now. You will need a sharp knife and spoon for hallowing out and some thing like linecut tools or pumpkin carving tools for making the design. You will need a plan ( pencil and paper come in handy here) and a candle ( a tea light works best. 1. Draw a simple design on paper first. You could make a traditional face or a simple drawing. I choose my some of my favorite things, a fern, a snail and a mushroom. 2. Now draw your image onto the surface of the vegetable with a pencil . 3. With your carving tool cut out the pattern. Don't go too deep you only need to remove the outer skin and reveal the paler flesh underneath. Keep it simple . 4. Now cut off the top with a sharp knife and set aside. This is the tough part. It isn't difficult just takes a while. I scored the surface with a knife in hatches and then scooped out the flesh with a table spoon. You remove it in layers knowing that you can smooth out the edges later. When the turnip is hallowed out to about a 1 cm thickness you are done. You can use the flesh for supper by cooking and mashing it just like mashed potatoes. It is great with a little bit of apple thrown in. 5. Place a tea light in the bottom. 6. When you light your lantern the first thing you will notice is that it glows orange even though the vegetable is not orange. Interesting !! This is thought to be why the color orange became so strongly associated with Halloween long before they were carving pumpkins. If you enjoyed that you might want to try your hand at carving other root vegetables. Just for fun I carved a small golden beet . I love the pointed hat. This was a totally impromptu tutorial inspired by the root vegetables at the local market today. I really wasn't planning on coming home from work today and carving a turnip, honestly. I hope you have a wonderful end to your week. It is debate night on our side of the atlantic. The english leaders debate in Canada and the vice presidential debate in the USA. Quite a few of us Canadians are watching the american debate , only to see Sarah or is it Tina Fey :) :)

Comments

[Rane]

OOOOOOOooooooooooh these are
lovely!!! Makes me want this
for dinner... tomorrow? with
soup in a root soup. (german
in me I guess.) Love your
snails.... are they pets or
you go looking for them when
you want to photo them.
Very cute art tonight!!!
Thank you!!

[Brook Owens]

cool!!! I want to try!

[rebekah]

prettiest turnip i've ever seen! :)

[karen]

Neat - thanks for the simple how-to. I have an interestingly-shaped yam that has been sitting on my counter for weeks waiting to tell me how it wanted to become a doll - now methinks it has been waiting on being a lantern....

[Rachel]

WOW. What a cool idea! I'm going to have to try this one. Linking as well.

[painted fish studio]

bravo, another great tutorial! i am definitely going to do this -- halloween is my favorite holiday and i love pumpkin jack o lanterns. now i can have a few mini-versions in the house!

[Patricia]

Love this! My daughter is a keeper of interesting Halloween facts, and she trots out the turnip origin every year. Last year she made turnip pins from craft foam to give out at Halloween. She is going to be so thrilled to try this tutorial! Thank you!

[NanaBeast]

It's GREAT that you can be so spontaneous. We are so glad you were inspired by all the root vegetables. I love, LOVE, your snail and fern design and how the snail shell is a little angular. Can't tell you how enjoyable your blog is. (No pressure or anything!) Lots of Autumnal blessings on your weekend.

[mayaluna]

So nice to settle down to your always captivating blog after a busy day. Thank you for more inspiration. I've tried my hand at rhutabaga carving (jack-o-lantern style)and it was tricky and not so pretty. I love how you scored your design instead. this looks stunning. I love spontaneous posts! Have a beautiful weekend...

[kt]

Here's a silly take on your lovely carvings done to frighten my dear husband several years back:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/92724523@N00/53286097/in/set-72157594568045439/