How to Toast Pumpkin Seeds
Enjoy Spicy, Sweet or Savory Variations of this Fall Recipe Favorite
Sep 8, 2009
It's pumpkin time! Save those pumpkin seeds and toast up a delicious seasonal treat. Simply set them aside after scooping them out during pumpkin carving, then clean, season and toast.
Make them in a variety of flavors from sweet to spicy, or enjoy them traditional style with butter and salt. It's fun and easy to do, and makes for the perfect seasonal snack.
How to Clean the Seeds
Place the raw pumpkin seeds from a freshly carved pumpkin into a colander or strainer, and rinse them thoroughly with warm water. Discard all the stringy flesh from the seeds, and continue to rinse until clean.
Place the cleaned pumpkin seeds on a kitchen towel and pat dry. Let the seeds dry completely before seasoning and toasting.
Seasoning the Seeds
Place the clean, dry pumpkin seeds in a bowl and toss with 1/4 cup of melted butter until all the seeds are coated evenly. Spread the seeds out on a baking sheet or pan and sprinkle with the following seasonings to achieve the flavor desired.
- Traditional Style - Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of regular or kosher salt.
- Spicy Flavored - Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon of ground red pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Sweet Flavored - Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar.
- Savory Flavored - Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of garlic salt, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of onion salt.
- Cajun Style - Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Pumpkin Pie Flavored - Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar.
Toasting the Seeds
To toast the pumpkin seeds, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the baking sheet with seasoned pumpkin seeds into the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes or until seeds are golden brown.
Stir the seeds occasionally during the toasting process to prevent sticking. Also, be sure to watch the seeds carefully as oven temperatures will vary, some ovens will cook the seeds in a shorter period of time while others may take longer.
Serve the Seeds
Use a spatula to remove the seeds from the baking sheet, and place into a serving bowl. Serve the toasted pumpkin seeds warm or store them once cooled and use them in other recipes.
Pumpkin seeds are a great source of magnesium, and are high in protein and fiber. They are a tasty seasonal treat full of anti-oxidants that are good for the body. Toast some up today and enjoy this Halloween favorite.
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