How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds

Whether we are cooking pumpkin or using it during Halloween, the thought of using pepitas (pumpkin seeds) never crosses our mind. It's high time that you stopped discarding the seeds. Whole pumpkin seeds are edible, and also rich in vitamin E and many nutrients.

One of the easiest ways to use them is to roast them. Having roasted pepitas will serve the dual purpose of granting you health benefits, as well as tickling your taste buds. Here's what you need to do:

Once you slice open the pumpkin, extract the pumpkin seeds from the cavity. Get a big-sized bowl, and fill it with warm water. Rub the pumpkin seeds gently in order to get rid of the pulp. Soak the seeds in salt water overnight and let them dry.

Now that the seeds are clean, these are ready to be roasted. Here are the simple steps that should be followed to oven-roast pepitas:

• Set the temperature in the oven to 275 °F.
• Place the seeds on the pan, and pour a little olive oil.

• As they are being roasted, stir them every five minutes.
• The roasting process would be over by half an hour.
• The salted pumpkin seeds are ready!
• You could even dry roast the pumpkin seeds, and add them to soup, or nibble on it as a snack.

Given below are some recipes that you could try.

Ingredients

• Roasted pepitas, 1 cup
• Melted butter, 2 tbsp.
• Black pepper
• Garlic salt, a pinch
• Cinnamon, a pinch
• Curry powder, a pinch

Procedure

• Take a pan and pour butter in it.
• Keep it on a low flame.
• Add the pumpkin seeds in the pan, and stir for 2 minutes.
• Add the spices and salt as per your taste.
• Toss it well, and there you have your pumpkin seeds snack!

Ingredients

• Pumpkin seeds, 1 cup
• Sugar, 1 tbsp.
• Nutmeg, a pinch
• Ground cardamom, a pinch
• Melted butter, 2 tbsp.
• Chilly flakes

Procedure

• Mix butter, sugar, and spices.
• Add the seeds to it and toss.
• Set the oven temperature to 300 °F.
• Spread a non-stick foil over a baking sheet, and spread the seeds on it.
• Stir from time to time, till they turn golden brown.
• Your pumpkin seeds are ready, start munching!

These were simple ways of roasting pumpkin seeds. So, the next time you are using a pumpkin, don't throw the seeds away. Make good use of the nutritious pepitas!