When carving pumpkins, many people throw away the pulp and seeds. Little do they know, pumpkin seeds make a delicious snack food. Prepare this easy-to-make treat in a variety of ways by adding salty, sweet or spicy flavors that you enjoy.
Washing the Seeds
It is best to gather the seeds as you carve the pumpkin, while the pulp is fresh and easy to remove. Dig out all of the seeds, place them in a bowl and pull out the stringy pulp. Rinse the seeds to remove any additional pulp residue.
Alternately, soak the seeds for a few hours in a bath of water with a few spoonfuls of salt, or with a few spoonfuls of sugar for a sweet taste.
Baking the Seeds
Spread the seeds on an oiled baking sheet. Rub with a layer of oil, or coat the sheet with a layer of cooking spray. Toss the seeds to coat on both sides, then bake for 25 minutes at an oven temperature of 325 degrees F. Stir the seeds every five to 10 minutes to roast perfectly on both sides.
Optional Seasonings
For the traditional roasted pumpkin seeds, sprinkle the seeds with a layer of salt while on the baking sheet.
For a sweet snack, soak the seeds in sugar water prior to baking. Place the seeds on an oiled cooking sheet, and sprinkle with cinnamon or brown sugar. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring until crisp.
For a spicy snack, soak the seeds in a salt water bath, then place on the oiled cooking sheet. Sprinkle with cayenne or chili pepper, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring every five minutes.
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