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Nothing says fall like the smell of roasting pumpkin seeds filling your kitchen. I love how these crunchy little treats transform from Halloween pumpkin leftovers into an amazing snack. The best part is you can season them any way you like and they're actually good for you.
Why Make Your Own
Instead of throwing away those pumpkin seeds put them to delicious use. You can make them exactly how you like sweet spicy or classically salty. Plus they're packed with good things like fiber and zinc making them a healthy snack you can feel good about eating.
What You Need
Start with fresh pumpkin seeds from your Halloween pumpkin or any winter squash. You'll need some olive oil and salt for the basic version. If you want to get creative grab your favorite seasonings like garlic powder cinnamon paprika or ranch seasoning.
Let's Make Them
First clean all the stringy bits off your seeds and give them a good rinse. Here's my secret trick simmer them in salted water for 10 minutes it makes them so much more flavorful. Dry them really well then toss with olive oil and spread them out on your baking sheet. Roast at 300℉ stirring every now and then until they're perfectly golden and crispy.
Mix Up The Flavors
Keep it simple with salt and pepper or get creative. Try garlic powder and paprika for savory seeds cinnamon and sugar for a sweet treat or spice things up with some chili powder. Sometimes I even use curry powder for something different.
My Best Tips
The key to crispy pumpkin seeds is getting them really dry before roasting. Watch them carefully in the oven you want golden brown not dark brown. And don't toss those butternut squash seeds this recipe works great for them too.
Storing and Serving
Keep your roasted pumpkin seeds in an airtight container they'll stay crunchy for about a week. Snack on them straight from the jar sprinkle them over salads or add some crunch to your favorite soup. They make everything taste better.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why do you need to boil the seeds first?
Boiling the seeds helps the salt penetrate the inner part of the seed for better flavor. It also ensures more even roasting in the oven.
- → How do you know when the seeds are done?
Seeds should be crispy and light to medium golden brown. Avoid dark brown coloring as this means they're burnt and will taste bitter.
- → Can I use this method for other squash seeds?
Yes, this method works great for any winter squash seeds including butternut and acorn squash. The process remains the same.
- → Why is cleaning the seeds so important?
Clean, dry seeds roast more evenly and crisp up better. Excess moisture from pumpkin flesh creates steam in the oven which can make the seeds take longer to crisp.
- → How long do roasted pumpkin seeds last?
They're best eaten the day they're roasted but will stay good for 1-2 days when stored in an airtight container in the pantry.