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" Did you know the first jack-o&amp;#039;-lanterns were made of turnips, rutabagas, gourds, beets or even hollowed-out potatoes? The pumpkin didn&amp;#039;t become prominent until the 1800s, but because of its generous size and easily carved flesh, the large orange squash has remained the basis for today&amp;#039;s jack-o&amp;#039;-lanterns. The practice originated with Irish immigrants, who, one Hallow&amp;#039;s Eve, used carved vegetables as lanterns to ward off evil spirits. The tradition lives on today, contributing to the spookiness of Halloween&amp;#039;s dramatic decor. Now, carving pumpkins has become more of an art form, prompting formal and friendly competition alike. Here, Howcast experts outline the basics to help you get started. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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