If you can’t find a pumpkin to carve into a Jack O’Lantern, or if prices are jacked up, don’t fret, any gourd-like vegetable or melon will do. The Celts used turnips; in Taiwan or anywhere pumpkins are not readily available, a watermelon would serve nicely. Buy local, don’t fall for the holiday hype, it’s a make-do world now! 
If you do use a pumpkin or other gourd/squash, coat the inside with vegetable oil or olive oil after you carve it and scoop out the guts (to stop it from drying out), and either use one of those little battery powered pretend tea lights, or leave the lid off if you use a real candle/tea light so it doesn’t burn inside. That way after Halloween you can chop up the pumpkin, bake it in tinfoil with some brown sugar and salt, and eat it. Or use Cajun spice on baked slices and toss with a green salad. There are tons of recipes for using pumpkin online. Save the seeds, rinse them, toss with oil and salt, and bake til golden. Great snack.
If you use a watermelon, make the lid larger (don’t forget to angle it so it doesn’t fall back in), and scoop out the watermelon to use in smoothies or to make a bowl of fruit punch (just blend it with OJ, then add booze and soda, plus slices of any fruit: kiwi, pineapple, lemon, orange work well).
Be creative! And have a very Happy Green Halloween!
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