How to Eat Pumpkin Seeds

Fall brings us beautiful scenery and Halloween, a favorite holiday of kids across the country. Halloween is pumpkin-carving time, which means lots of leftover pumpkin seeds. Don't throw your pumpkin seeds away though. With the right seasoning and toasting, those pumpkin seeds can make a healthy and tasty snack for your family.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Pumpkin seeds
• Saucepan
• Salt
• Strainer
• Olive oil
• Baking pan

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Wash and rinse the seeds in your kitchen sink if you have already carved your pumpkin. If not, cut open the top of the pumpkin in a circular motion around the stalk. Scoop the seeds out with a large spoon and tear them from the strings.
3. Add 4 cups of water to a deep saucepan and add 1 cup of washed seeds to the water. Throw a few pinches of salt in as well. Bring the seeds and water to a boil, then turn down the heat and let the seeds simmer for 15 minutes. Drain the seeds in a strainer over your kitchen sink.
4. Spread some olive oil on the bottom of a large pan or baking dish. Place the seeds on the pan or dish in one layer and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the seeds start to brown.
5. Allow the pan and the seeds to cool before eating. You can eat the seeds whole or remove the outer portion to eat the inner seed. Pumpkin seeds also make great additions to trail mix or a healthy salad.

Tips & Warnings

• Store pumpkin seeds in the refrigerator in an airtight container until you are ready to prepare and eat them.