How to Cook Pumpkin Seeds in a Skillet

Baking or toasting pumpkin seeds is a favorite fall tradition. After carving your Halloween pumpkin or chopping up a pumpkin to make pumpkin pie, you can cook the pumpkin seeds for a special treat. The most common way to cook pumpkin seeds is to throw them in the oven on a cookie sheet. You can, however, choose to toast them in a skillet on the stove top for a slightly different effect.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Strainer
• Large skillet
• Pumpkin seeds
• 1 Tbsp oil or butter
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Salt and/or seasoning of your choice

1. Wash the pumpkin seeds in a strainer in the sink to remove the pumpkin "guts" and slime from the seeds.

2. Drain the pumpkin seeds and blot them with paper towels or a kitchen towel to remove the excess water.

3. Add the oil or butter to the skillet and heat over medium heat. You can add more or less oil/butter to taste.

4. Add the pumpkin seeds to the skillet. Be careful - they might pop if they are still wet.

5. Cook the seeds, stirring frequently to coat with oil/butter and prevent burning. Add salt, or other seasoning, to taste as the seeds cook.

6. Continue cooking up to 30-45 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pumpkin seeds are a toasty brown color.

7. Remove the skillet from the heat. If necessary, drain the seeds on paper towels to remove excess oil/butter.

Tips & Warnings

• For a unique taste, try using seasonings such as garlic salt, pumpkin pie spice, or Cajun seasoning.
• The less oil/butter you use, the healthier the pumpkin seeds.
• The pumpkin seeds can pop while cooking, especially if they are still wet.

[iamageniuster]

on 10/14/2008 Great tips. 5 Stars!!!

[RomiH]

on 10/14/2008 very tantalizing!

[triciagoss]

on 10/14/2008 Sounds yummy!

[mbravo1020]

on 10/14/2008 this is awsome great stuff

[snowmoonelk]

on 10/14/2008 don't you have to take the hulls off first?