How to Clean Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds often get tossed when making jack-o'-lanterns or pumpkin pie. However, pumpkin seeds have many uses--they are nutritional and even used in holistic medicine. At a glance, the idea of cleaning pumpkin seeds may appear hopeless, but it's a lot easier than you think. Once the pumpkin seeds are clean and dry, there are many different ways to use them in recipes, or you can grow your own by planting the seeds the following year.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Colander
• Paper towels
• Cool water
• Freezer paper

1. Place the pumpkin seeds in a colander.

2. Run cool water over the pumpkin seeds while tossing them with your hands.

3. Separate loose pulp and strings from the pumpkin seeds.

4. Place the pumpkin seeds on paper towels to remove excess water.

5. Transfer the pumpkin seeds to the shiny side of a sheet of freezer paper.

6. Allow the pumpkin seeds to dry completely overnight (or longer) on freezer paper.

Tips & Warnings

• Pulp that remains on pumpkin seeds will not hurt or spoil the seeds. Remaining pulp adds more flavor to the pumpkin seeds.
• Do not allow pumpkin seeds to dry completely on paper towels as they will stick to the paper towel.

References

• Readers share their methods for cleaning pumpkin seeds.
• Pumpkin Seed Recipes

Resources

• Southern Cuisine

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