Roasted, Toasted or Baked, Pumpkin Seed Recipes are Simple and Healthy

Roasted, Toasted or Baked, Pumpkin Seed Recipes are Simple and Healthy

Carving the pumpkins into a Jack-o-lantern is part of the Halloween tradition and a great way to have some fun family time with you kids. But if your not sure what to do with all of the pumpkin seeds, the truth is that they make a very healthy and tasty snack.

Not only are pumpkin seed recipes extremely easy, the end product is a snack which will last for weeks and are loaded with vitamins, minerals, protein and other health benefits.

Lower Cholesterol (LDL the bad kind) is just one benefit. In an earlier article we listed all of the health benefits of pumpkin seeds. So make it a family affair and get the kids involved.

There are a variety of variations on the recipe for cooking pumpkin seeds, but whether you call it roasted or toasted or baked, the process outlined here will get you started. From this basic way to prepare them, you can experiment with some added spices for additional flavors.

Here is how to cook your pumpkin seeds:

After you finish carving the pumpkin and save the seeds, follow this recipe to show your kids how to make pumpkin seeds. It is really simple.

Recipe: How to Make Roasted Pumpkin Seeds:

– Clean the seeds to remove the pulp from the pumpkin. Do so by washing in a colander or strainer.
– Spread the seeds on a baking sheet.
– While you really don’t need to add anything, many find that a little olive oil, and a pinch of salt bring out the flavor more. (Experiment with a few different batched with other spices like cinnamon, or even chili pepper for a spicy version.)
– Place the seeds in a oven at about 165º F.
– To help maintain the internal oils of the seeds, cook them for only about 15-20 minutes at this temperature.

Let them cool a little and then enjoy them while they are just a little warm. Refrigerated, the pumpkin seeds should be good for about a month or so.