2 Pumpkin Carving Contests - Win Great Prizes, Including Braves Tickets

This is a great weekend to get your pumpkins and begin carving them. There are two contests you can enter with one pumpkin so help your kids carve some cool Jack-O-Lanterns this weekend. Then enter your pumpkin for a chance to win prizes. There is an online contest through the Atlanta Braves. You can also bring your pumpkins to The Frederick Brown Amphitheater to be judged for their contest.

Details of the Braves Contest:

Fans can test their pumpkin artistry by entering their jack-o-lanterns in the Braves Pumpkin Carving Contest and be eligible to win a pair of tickets to any 2010 Atlanta Braves home game. A panel of Braves judges will choose the top five entries based on display of Braves spirit and originality, and fans will choose the grand prize winner in online voting beginning on October 26.

Carve your original Braves-themed creation and enter the Braves pumpkin carving contest today at: braves.com/pumpkin. Fans who would like some assistance in their carvings, can also download free Braves stencils from the site.

Pumpkin Contest at "The Fred" in Peachtree City:

You can also bring your carved pumpkin to the Frederick Brown Amphitheater on Oct. 22nd & 23rd. They are going to line the walkway to the amphitheater with the Jack-O-Lanterns for the Not So Scary Halloween Party on October 24th. Details can be found on http://www.localkidfun.com/Calendar.php or http://www.localkidfun.com/SeasonalActivities.php

Stuffed Pumpkin Recipe for an Easy Fall Dinner!

Here is a recipe I make every year for family and friends. I got it from my friend Sandy F. when we lived in Jacksonville, FL. It was a family recipe from growing up Rhode Island. Her family made every year to celebrate Fall. I thought I would share this with all of you.

It makes lots of food and it's easy to put together. Put it together early then pop it in the oven for at least an hour (sometimes 2 hrs). Invite your neighbors over and let the kids play outside in this gorgeous October weather while the pumpkin cooks. It makes your house smell yummy. I've made it twice already this fall for two different groups of friends. The leftovers are good too.

TIP: If you are inviting over picky eaters, reserve some extra ground meat for hamburgers to cook on the grill.

Stuffed Pumpkin Recipe
Ingredients:
Pumpkin - Buy a pumpkin at the grocery store or at a pumpkin patch. Look for a good size that will fit in your oven with the stem (usually medium size works).
1 med Onion
2 lb ground turkey OR 1 lb ground pork & 1 lb ground beef
1 Cup Chopped Celery (optional)
1 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
1 Tbsp Poultry Seasoning
1/2 tsp Ground Cloves
1 Cup Plain Bread Crumbs

Directions:
Cut the top off the pumpkin and reserve. Scoop out the seeds and veins of pumpkin (like you would to carve it).
Precook in microwave 5-10 minutes until it starts to soften (this helps reduce the oven time)

Fry 1 chopped onion until brown
add ground meat and cook until brown
add 1 cup water (reduce water w/ reduced meat)& 1 cup chopped celery (optional). Cook until celery is done. Remove from heat.

Add 1 T. poultry seasoning, 1/2 tsp ground cloves, & 1 C bread crumbs. Mix.

Once cool, stuff mixture into pumpkin. Place top on pumpkin and put it on a foil covered cookie sheet to prevent dripping.
Bake at 350 degrees until done (1-2 hours). Done when pumpkin is brown and very soft.
Serve in pumpkin or in serving bowls. For serving bowls, scoop out the meat into one dish and the flesh of the pumpkin into another. Serve also with rice (our preference), mashed potatoes, or any vegetable.

ENJOY! Candace