Instructors: Narongwacha Broytubtim and Rosalin Moore
This is the baseline for you to practice holding and using the knife as well as carving few petals.
Hold the knife as you hold a pencil.
Always support your cutting hand with your fourth or fifth finger propped against the fruit (or vegetable.)
Repeat the cuts if the remnant does not come off easily.
DO NOT PRY with the knife.
Shave that surface underneath the score line.
The knife angle is about 160 degrees - almost flat against the surface of the cucumber.
If you see the cucumber seeds, it means your cut is too deep.
Make the shaved area a little larger than the actual petal.
Carve that edge - at almost 90 degree angle and 1/4" deep - within the shaved area.
You may use one smooth curve or two straight lines that meet at the tip of the petal.
Cut 1/8" outside the petal edge.
The knife angle is about 160 degrees - almost flat against the cucumber.
The tip of the blade meets the cut-depth of the petal edge.
Nudge off LIGHTLY the piece of cucumber above the cut to reveal the petal.
A. Base: Shave off the triangle section between two upper petals.
Make another deeper cut to give a 3D effect.
B. Tip: Repeat step #2.
OR
Carve leaves or other fun designs as you please.
Take a picture of your first carving!
Other good vegetables to carve: Carrots, turnips, daikons, orange beets, watermelon beets, jicamas, taros.
Good Fruit to carve: Melons, cantaloupes, mangoes, persimmons, papayas.
