Roasting Pumpkin Seeds
By:
Allrecipes Staff
When you're carving your Halloween pumpkins, don't throw away
the seeds!
Pumpkin Seed Recipes
Have more seeds than you know what to do with? Substitute
pumpkin seeds for peanuts in your favorite peanut brittle recipe.
Pepitas Recipes
Pepitas are pumpkin seeds with the white hull removed. They're popular in Mexican cooking.
Roasted pumpkin seeds have a nutty flavor and are packed with
protein and fiber. Pumpkin seeds are delicious toasted and salted, but
they're even better flavored with sweet and savory spices.
How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds
1.
Rinse
pumpkin seeds under cold water and pick out the pulp and strings. (This is
easiest just after you've removed the seeds from the pumpkin, before the pulp
has dried.)
2.
Place
the pumpkin seeds in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet, stirring to coat.
If you prefer, omit the oil and coat with non-stick cooking spray.
3.
Sprinkle
with salt and bake at 325 degrees F until toasted, about 25 minutes, checking
and stirring after 10 minutes.
4.
Let
cool and store in an air-tight container.
Why Carve Pumpkins?
The story of the Jack o'Lantern comes from Irish folklore. Jack was a crafty
farmer who tricked the Devil into climbing a tall tree. When the Devil reached
the highest branch, Jack carved a large cross in the trunk, making it
impossible for the Devil to climb down. In exchange for help getting out of the
tree, the Devil promised never to tempt Jack with evil again. When Jack died,
he was turned away from Heaven for his sins and turned away from Hell because
of his trickery. Condemned to wander the Earth without rest, Jack carved out
one of his turnips, took an ember from the devil, and used it for a lantern to
light his way. He became known as "Jack of the Lantern."
