Carving a pumpkin is certainly one of those fun fall festivities, but if you're throwing away all of those pumpkin seeds, you're severely missing out! Roasted pumpkin seeds are a great snack to enjoy whilst carving your pumpkin.
Roasted pumpkin seeds are a superb snack—especially because they are so high in protein! 1 cup of pumpkin seeds has 12 grams of protein and 12 grams of dietary fiber! It's a great high protein snack that you can make with any flavor you desire. Try making your own roasted pumpkin seeds using this step-by-step guide.
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients
2 cups pumpkin seeds 4 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon salt (or sugar!) 1 teaspoon extra seasoning, optional Cooking spray
I found this beauty at Walmart! That's right, and this pumpkin was pretty cheap. I recommend finding a medium or large pumpkin, that way you have enough to make at least 1-2 cups of roasted pumpkin seeds.
Cut off the top
I used a chef's knife for this, which I admit wasn't the easiest way to cut this pumpkin. I would recommend using a normal pumpkin carving knife for this—which will be great to have when you carve that pumpkin later!
Scoop out the seeds into a bowl
Using a metal spoon, scoop out the seeds. You may find it easier to use your hands toward the end, to get those stragglers at the bottom of the pumpkin.
Separate the seeds from the extra pumpkin
This part will certainly get messy, but hey, those roasted pumpkin seeds are worth it! Separate the strands of pumpkin pulp from the seeds, and just throw it on that towel. You'll have a chance to clean it later.
Rinse the seeds, pat them dry, then coat in butter
Using a colander, rinse the seeds of any excess pumpkin pulp. Spread them onto a dishtowel. You'll get a nice roast from the seeds if you pat them dry. Once they are dry, melt some butter in the microwave (about 30-45 seconds) and mix the seeds in a bowl with the butter.
Now not every pumpkin will produce exactly 2 cups of pumpkin seeds, so I recommend this formula when choosing the butter and seasoning for your seeds:
1/2 cup = 1 tablespoon of butter, 1/4 teaspoon seasoning
1 cup = 2 tablespoons of butter, 1/2 teaspoon seasoning
2 cups = 4 tablespoons of butter, 1 teaspoon seasoning
Choose savory or sweet seasoning
Would you prefer a savory snack, or a sweet one? Whichever you decide, you'll choose your teaspoon of salt or sugar based on that. For example, if you're going to enjoy a pumpkin spice or cinnamon sugar seasoning, you'll want to sprinkle sugar onto these seeds instead. If it's a taco seasoning, curry, oreverything bagel seasoning,you'll want to use salt.
If you decide on using an everything bagel seasoning for your seeds, don't add the seasoning to the seeds just yet. Let the seeds roast for 30 minutes first. During the last 10, brush an egg white wash (separate an egg) onto the seeds, then sprinkle on the seasoning. Roast for the last 10 minutes.
Spread the seeds onto a baking sheet
To make cleanup easier for yourself, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray. Spread the pumpkin seeds on it, and if you can, try to not have them overlapping.
Roast for 40 minutes
Make sure to stir the seeds every 10 minutes! It will help with roasting them evenly in the oven because you don't want to have burnt edges of your seeds. So after every 10-minute segment, mix the seeds with a wooden spoon. Once they are done, wait for them to cool completely. You don't want to burn your tongue!
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Full Recipe
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Carve out the top of the pumpkin. Use a metal spoon to scoop out the pumpkin seeds.
Using your hands, separate the pumpkin seeds from the extra pumpkin pulp in a large bowl.
Rinse the seeds, then pat them dry.
Melt the butter and mix it with the dried pumpkin seeds in a bowl.
Sprinkle the pumpkin seeds with salt (if you're making a savory blend) or sugar (if you're making something sweet).
Add in whatever seasonings you desire!
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, then spray it with the cooking spray.
Roast in the oven for 40 minutes. Every 10 minutes, mix the seeds with a wooden spoon. This helps them to roast evenly.
Takeaways. Pumpkin seeds are edible, nutritious seeds from pumpkins that are roasted, salted, and eaten as a snack in many parts of the world. They're very nutritious, with omega-3 fatty acids and lots of minerals, and they have anti-inflammatory effects that have many potential health benefits.
This process will help soften the seeds making them easier to digest. Once thoroughly soaked, remove your pumpkin seeds from the water, pat dry and roast a bit longer than you would unsoaked pumpkin seeds. About five to ten minutes longer.
The American Heart Association recommends a quarter cup of daily intake of pumpkin seeds as part of an overall healthy diet, which is approximately 30 g. This amount will provide you with a good amount of protein, healthy fats, fiber, zinc, selenium, magnesium, and other effective nutrients.
Yes, you can eat the shell of a pumpkin seed. The shells add a nice crunch to this nutritious snack. They're also loaded with fiber. Pumpkin seeds with shells pack twice the fiber content of those that have already been shelled.
The small oval-shaped pumpkin seeds also referred to as pepitas are a powerhouse of nutrients. Rich in magnesium, iron and fibre, the seeds make for a healthy and crunchy snack. The American Heart Association recommends having a quarter cup (30 grams) of pumpkin seeds every day as a part of a healthy diet.
Pumpkin seeds are quite good for you with or without the shell. They're extremely rich in fiber (which can support good digestion and heart health), as well as other beneficial vitamins and nutrients (like zinc, magnesium, and iron). With that said, whole pumpkin seeds offer about double the fiber of shelled ones.
Although you don't have to boil the pumpkin seeds before roasting, we recommend it. Boiling pumpkin seeds in salted water helps the salt to permeate the seeds inside the shells and helps them to cook more evenly.
Rinsing in a colander or fine mesh strainer helps remove any remaining goop. Dry seeds– Using a towel, dry the seeds thoroughly. This helps them crisp up in the oven. Add oil, salt, and seasonings– We like to use avocado oil in a ratio of 1 Tbsp oil to 1 cup seeds.
If you eat too many, you may experience gas and bloating. Fiber helps bulk up stool and prevents constipation in the long run, but eating a lot of pumpkin seeds at once may actually cause constipation. As you snack on pumpkin seeds, keep in mind they're high in calories and fat.
While they're largely safe to eat, whole pumpkin seeds can pose problems for some people. Individuals with digestive conditions, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, also known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), should avoid or limit whole pumpkin seeds — and even shelled varieties.
Pumpkin seeds are a suitable source of healthy fats, magnesium, and other nutrients that enhance heart and bone health. They are also rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants such as selenium and beta carotene. Additionally, they are a high source of iron.
Pumpkin seeds health benefits for women are diverse as they are a rich source of essential nutrients, including magnesium, which plays a vital role in muscle and nerve function. Magnesium can help alleviate common issues such as menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms.
Know that many people prefer to eat pumpkin seeds whole, along with the shell. If you toast or roast your pumpkin seeds to perfection, the outer shells don't really need to be removed in order to enjoy the seed inside, although some people like doing this. Pry the pumpkin shell open and get at just the seed.
Pumpkin seeds may be beneficial for men with erectile dysfunction as the seeds have many properties that help with prostate function. They also reduce benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate becomes enlarged without the presence of cancer and mostly occurs in men over 50.
Raw pumpkin is slightly higher in water-soluble vitamins and other nutrients than cooked pumpkin. Still, raw pumpkin seeds may have fewer antioxidants and more antinutrients than roasted seeds.
Eating pumpkin seeds as a snack can aid your weight loss journey. They are great for burning fat and gaining muscle. They are satiating and rich in zinc and calcium, protein, and fibres. Fibre helps your digestive system and makes you feel less hungry throughout the day.
Nutritional Composition: Raw seeds retain their natural nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, as they have not been exposed to high temperatures. Roasting seeds can lead to some nutrient loss, particularly heat-sensitive vitamins like vitamin E and certain B vitamins.
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