As Halloween approaches, it is time to pick your costumes and carve your pumpkins. Carving pumpkins is a messy endeavor, as it involves removing a large amount of pumpkin innards and seeds. Don’t let those things go to waste! You can use the pumpkin in baking, and the pumpkin seeds make a quick, healthy snack once cleaned off.
While the classic way to cook those seeds is to roast them with olive oil and salt, there are more adventurous ways to add some flavor to your snack.
Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Seeds
For those with a sweet tooth, mix your seeds with 1/2 cup of margarine, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Bake in an oven at 350° for 1 hour. Every fifteen minutes, stir the seeds around and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of white sugar over the top.
Drunken Pumpkin Seeds
For a smokey flavor to your pumpkin seeds, mix your seeds with 1/2 cup of whiskey, 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings, 1 tablespoon of dark brown sugar, and 2 teaspoons of salt. Simmer the mixture in a saucepan for 15 to 20 minutes, and then drain. Bake the drained seeds in the oven at 275° for 60 to 90 minutes, seasoning with salt to your taste.
Cajun Teriyaki Pumpkin Seeds
If you want your seeds to have a bit of a kick to them, this is the recipe for you. Mix your seeds with 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon of paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon of seasoned salt, and 3/4 teaspoon of teriyaki sauce. Let the mixture sit for five minutes before baking. Bake in an oven at 300° for 45 minutes to 1 hour, sprinkling with salt to taste.
Savory Pumpkin Seeds
For a savory twist on this snack, mix your pumpkin seeds with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 tablespoon of tamari sauce, and 2 teaspoons of garlic powder. Bake the seeds in the oven at 300° for 30 minutes, salting to taste.
Ranch Pumpkin Seeds
For a slightly less healthy take on this snack, mix your pumpkin s eds with 1/4 cup of vegetable oil and a 1 ounce package of ranch dressing mix. Bake the seeds in the oven at 400° for 10 minutes, or until browned.
Happy Snacking!