2.0 : FRUIT & VEGETABLE CARVING :)

-TECHNIQUE FOR CARVING FRUIT & VEGETABLES -

 

Tools

• To carve fruit and vegetables you will need a set of tools and materials specific to the art. Most of these tools can be found in a housewares store or a local culinary supply store. Some tools you will need are: a melon baller with a large and small scoop, wooden skewers, a paring knife, cookie cutters, food-grade washable marker, and a spoon.

   

  

   

   

   

   

Beginner Fruits and Vegetables

• When starting out carving produce, you will want to work with fruits and vegetables that are the easiest to carve. For fruits, purchase cantaloupes, watermelons or honeydew melons for carving, and strawberries, grapes and blueberries for accent pieces. For vegetables, start with radishes, carrots and sweet potatoes. 

Fruit Flowers

• Fruit flowers can be created using different melons, grapes, raspberries and blueberries. Cut melons into flat pieces that are at least 1/2 inch thick. Use flower cookie cutters to cut melons into floral shapes. Place a melon flower on top of a wooden skewer and press the skewer through just enough to affix a grape, raspberry or blueberry on top as the flower's center. Use fruit flowers in vases, melon baskets or as a way to serve fruit on a fruit platter.
  

 Preserving Carved Decorations

• Use a cloth dipped in cold water to remove any outlines or debris on the fruit's surface. Fill a spray bottle with lime juice, lemon juice, grapefruit juice or a combination of the three. Spray the exposed surface of the fruit and vegetables with the juice to help prevent them from oxidizing. Oxidation is what turns the surface of fruits and vegetables brown, and the acid in lemon juice helps prevent this.