Photo Credit: Sonya Bean on flickr.com
Delicious pumpkin seeds are one of the easiest things to make, and with the vast amount of pumpkins that are most likely being carved at this very moment, I bet there’s thousands of seeds sitting there just waiting to be cooked!
Pumpkin seeds are a natural and excellent source of protein and are jam-packed with fiber, numerous vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants such as Vitamin E. The high levels of zinc fight against osteoporosis, they prevent kidney stone formation, and reduce cholesterol levels too And for all you men out there, studies have shown that these seeds can help promoting prostate health. With all of these amazing benefits in mind, it’s time to start roasting pumpkin seeds!
Recipe for Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Before starting, make sure you:
- Remove all pumpkin residue off of the seeds by separating them from the stringy bits and rinsing them under a faucet to remove everything else.
- Lay them out to dry on paper towels.
- Spread the seeds in a single layer on a large cookie sheet or pan.
- Lightly spray them with PAM, or your favorite cooking spray (as an alternative, you can mix the seeds in a whisked egg white).
- Sprinkle the seeds with sea salt or your favorite seasoning (you could try Lawry’s Seasoned Salt or Bragg’s liquid amino seasoning).
- Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for about 12 minutes, or until golden crisp, stirring occasionally.
Get creative! Try using curry powder for seasoning, or grinding up a great tasting tea to season the seeds. Even mix in some sugar for a sweet indulgence!
Sources: Eat This!
The best to use is the atlantic giant pumpkin seeds, but yeah any squash seeds can be used for roasting. Try to sprinkle the ready product on pasta dishes or salads, really tasty.