I like to get pie-size pumpkins, slice them thinly, then dehydrate the slices. But this year I've rather met my match with a pumpkin that was hard as a rock. I could not make a dent in it with my sharpest knife, and the veggie peeler simply complained loudly and let me know it was going to break if I continued with it. Ok..... so I finally boiled the thing for a few minutes, turning it in the water from time to time. Fine. Dandy. I managed to get an ultra-fine sliver of the peel off after this. Next step - boil it again. Long story short is that I was ultimately able to cut the darned thing into quarters. And I managed to do so without damaging the cutting board, the counter, or myself. The knife may be duller, but the sharpener will take care of that.
Still, the cured rind is still attached. I can slide my thumb (with difficulty) between that and the flesh and break off small pieces. But frankly, only so much. I finally decided that we are having pumpkin with hot peppers as part of dinner. The heck with getting the rest of the rind off - this baby will be nuked. I've been at this for an hour and a half, fuggetaboutit.
Do any of you have tips or tricks for cutting open a particularly-hard pumpkin? Yes, it must still be edible at the end of the process!
Yes, I seriously entertained the idea of using the table saw or the miter saw, but nixed those options already. Hmm.... maybe my Dremel with a fresh cutting disc on it.....
Still, the cured rind is still attached. I can slide my thumb (with difficulty) between that and the flesh and break off small pieces. But frankly, only so much. I finally decided that we are having pumpkin with hot peppers as part of dinner. The heck with getting the rest of the rind off - this baby will be nuked. I've been at this for an hour and a half, fuggetaboutit.
Do any of you have tips or tricks for cutting open a particularly-hard pumpkin? Yes, it must still be edible at the end of the process!
Yes, I seriously entertained the idea of using the table saw or the miter saw, but nixed those options already. Hmm.... maybe my Dremel with a fresh cutting disc on it..... 
