1.  Depending on the size and type of pumpkin you have, you may encounter some difficulty when tying to cut this vegetable. If the pumpkin is too hard to cut then it may be best to simply crack it open by throwing it onto a hard surface (the kitchen floor works quite well), though do  watch out for splashes. To avoid a yellow mess simply kneel down on the floor, hold the pumpkin with two hands then smash on the floor. This should help prevent pumpkin seeds from flying all over the kitchen.