How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds

How to Make Homemade Roasted Pumpkin Seeds!

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These days, roasted pumpkins seeds are all the rage. Tasty, full of anti-oxidants, high in fiber and protein, gourmet shops and health food stores stock them. Here's an EASY recipe to make them yourself!

Directions for Making Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Ingredients and Equipment

pumpkin (see step 1) a sharp, serrated large knife Cookie sheet

vegetable oil (any neutral oil, like as canola, grapeseed, or coconut) salt pepper, general herbs (see step 2)

Recipe and Directions

Step 1 - Clean the seeds

When you are carving your pumpkin, separate the seeds from the pumpkin flesh and strings (which kids usually call "pumpkin brains" or "pumpkin guts"; see this page for that!. Wash them well (usually putting then in a big bowl of water and rubbing them between your hands is a fast way to clean them) and let them drain in a strainer for about 30 minutes, then spread them out on a baking pan. Now just use a hair dryer to dry them quickly! Or place them in a warm oven, say 120F - 150F to dry them. I stir them every 10 minutes to speed the drying.

Next, start preheating the oven. Turn it on and set it to 275 F (135 C, for those in Europe)

Step 2 - Spread the seeds on a cookie sheet and season them

Spread the seeds evenly over a cookie sheet and lightly baste the seeds with melted butter, margarine, or vegetable oil. There are many variations. Here are the most popular, in order or popularity:

1. Savory: 4 tablespoons melted butter, 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt and 2 teaspoons Worchestershire sauce
2. Lemony: 4 tablespoons melted butter, 1 teaspoon 'Mrs. Dash" or lemon pepper
3. Halloweeny: 4 tablespoons melted butter, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice.
4. Spicy: 4 tablespoons melted butter, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper
5. Natural: 1 teaspoon sea salt or other salt, 4 tablespoons melted butter,

Step 3 - Roast the seeds

Heat them in a 275-degree oven for 10 to 20 minutes until golden brown. DO KEEP AN EYE ON THEM, checking every few minutes and stir about every 5 minutes. Some ovens run hot and it can be as little as 10 minutes or as long as 30 minutes to roast them. Sprinkle with salt and serve hot or cold.

For milder flavor, simmer the cleaned seeds for about an hour in salted water and fry in deep oil. Or mix a tablespoon of oil or margarine to each cup of nuts and roast them at 250 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes until they're golden. Sprinkle them with salt.

Tips and Suggestions from Visitors

• A visitor writes on October 28, 2010: "A really great way to make "Halloweeny" pumpkin seeds is to boil the seeds in apple cider for 10 minutes before baking. Spread about a teaspoon of oil on a baking sheet and spread seeds. Sprinkle with a little salt and sugar (I like to use brown sugar) and some spices (I like cinnamon and cloves). The sugar and cider will caramelize and the seeds are delicious! Be sure to watch closely because they will stick and burn a little more easily than usual. "
  

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Halloween Costumes

Here are some of the most popular Halloween costumes for children this year. For more choices, see our Halloween costumes pages.

• Inflatable Riding Dinosaur Costume for Adults - everyone LOVES this costume. It's a hit where ever you go!
• Harry Potter Costume Kids Plush Robe - With a hood, one for each house, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hogwarts
• Wizard Robe Cloak Halloween costume for Kids
• Girl's Sparkle Princess Costume - In pink, for small girls
• Sew your own Halloween Costumes with Patterns from the Singer Sewing Reference Library
• Pizza Costume for Kids - A giant slice of pizza Halloween Costume for Children and Teens
• Easy Halloween Costumes for Children - Miniature patterns for 3 to 12 year old children, just enlarge and use
  

 

 

Find Related Information and Resources Here!

Here's the quick list to related farms for PYO, Honey, Pumpkins, Christmas trees, etc.:

You may find these websites useful!

• Local pick your own farms for apples, strawberries, raspberries, corn, tomatoes, etcr
• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Children's consignment sales
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Christmas Tree Farms and lots
• Road tripping and camping tips, tricks and How-to's
• Fun Factory Tours
• Venues for you event: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Festivals: Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horses: rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed and Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes