ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

Fall is a glorious time of year when pumpkins and squashes come into season, and all kinds of good things happen. Roasting pumpkin seeds is one of them! Pumpkin seeds are a good for you, and are a great source of vitamin E, zinc and other essential minerals. They also make for great snacking any time of day, and travel well too.

If you’re like me, this is a nostalgic time of year for you. Roasted pumpkin seeds take me back to the days of being a kid, when my mom would roast them every year. I loved snacking on the salty, crunchy seeds freshly warm from the oven. It’s a tradition that is still alive and well in my home.

I used a sugar pumpkin here but you can use any size pumpkin you like. The hardest part to roasting pumpkin seeds is separating them from the stringy mass, after that, it’s easy as can be. This recipe also works well with other pumpkin and squash seeds like delicata, acorn, butternut, etc.

It’s easy to prepare your own pumpkin seeds at home. So without further ado, gather your pumpkins and let’s get roasting!

HOW TO ROAST PUMPKIN SEEDS: STEP BY STEP

1. Slice in half and you’ll see all those precious seeds. If using a large carving pumpkin you’ll cut a circle about 2 – 3 inches away from and around the stem, remove top and scoop out seeds.

2. Scoop out seeds, remove the stringy flesh (this is the hardest part) and rinse well removing any orange flesh…

3. Dry your pumpkin seeds between a clean dish towel or paper towels.

4. Place on baking sheet, oil and add salt/spices…

• For savory sprinkle with any single or combo of these: garlic powder, onion powder, black/white pepper, chipotle, chili powder, cayenne, cumin, old bay, garam marsala, smoked paprika or curry. Use combos at your own discretion.
• For sweet add cinnamon and sugar while omitting the salt.

5. Once done, let cool a bit and enjoy your freshly roasted pumpkin seeds.

And that’s it, crunchy, delicious roasted pumpkin seeds, made easy and ready in about 40 minutes!

How To Store Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Stored your roasted pumpkins seeds in an airtight container, they will keep for 1 – 2 months in the refrigerator, or at room temperature for 7 – 9 days.

ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

Roasted pumpkin seeds are a must when in season. They are so easy to make, nutritious and delicious!

• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 30 min
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4
• Category: How To, Snack
• Cuisine: Vegan

Ingredients

• 1 pumpkin
• olive oil, grapeseed or coconut oil
• mineral salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

If using a sugar pumpkin, cut in half, scoop seeds out using a good-sized spoon and discard any orange flesh. If using a large carving pumpkin, cut a circle about 2 – 3 inches away from and around the stem, remove top and scoop out.

Place seeds in a colander and rinse well removing any small pieces of pumpkin. Dry excess water from pumpkin seeds using a dish towel or laying the seeds between a few sheets of paper towels.

Place seeds on rimmed baking sheet, add a small glug of olive oil and toss the pumpkin seeds until well coated. Spread evenly in a single layer on the baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and any other desired spices or herbs.

Place in oven on middle rack and bake for 20 – 30 minutes, depending on your oven,  shuffling the seeds every 7 minutes or so. After 20 minutes, keep a close eye on them, as they can burn fast if cooked too long. You may hear some crackling and popping, this is normal. I would tend to suggest going the extra time as long as seeds are not burnt, especially for larger seeds.

Once done, let cool 10 minutes and enjoy!

NOTES:

For savory sprinkle with any single or combo of these: garlic powder, onion powder, black/white pepper, chipotle, chili powder, cayenne, cumin, old bay, garam marsala, smoked paprika or curry. Use combos at your own discretion.

For sweet add cinnamon and sugar while omitting the salt.

This recipe works well all pumpkin and squash seeds like delicata, acorn, butternut, etc.

NUTRITION FACTS ARE CALCULATED USING 1 CUP PUMPKIN SEEDS