You can eat carving pumpkins, but they are not bred for flavor or texture like pie pumpkins. Carving pumpkins tend to have a more bland, watery, and fibrous flesh, which may not be as enjoyable in culinary uses. They are perfectly edible and can be used in soups, stews, or roasted, but their taste and texture might be inferior to pumpkins bred specifically for cooking.

However, once a pumpkin has been carved, it should not be eaten due to food safety concerns. The cutting exposes the flesh to bacteria and pathogens, and such carved pumpkins should be either cooked immediately or discarded to avoid risk of foodborne illness.

In summary:

• Uncarved carving pumpkins are edible but less tasty and fibrous.
• Carved pumpkins should not be consumed to avoid health risks.
• Roasting seeds from carving pumpkins is a popular and safe option.

This means if you have a carving pumpkin that is uncut, you can use it for cooking but expect a less flavorful result compared to cooking pumpkins specifically bred for eating. If already carved, it is safer not to eat it.