How to Bake Pumpkin Seeds (Week 40, 52 New Foods) October 15 2012, 1 Comment

Savory or sweet, pumpkin seeds are a delicious, easy and nutritious fall treat. A fun weekend project to share with your kids.    

A visit to the local pumpkin patch is always high on our list of fall activities. After hours of searching, we head home with a fantastic family of pumpkins that will become our resident jack-o-lanterns. But the fun doesn’t end with carving our Halloween friends – the seeds make a delicious and nutritious fall snack.

How to Bake Pumpkin Seeds

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 to 30 minutes
Makes about ½ cup of toasted seeds

Ingredients:

1 medium sugar pie pumpkin
1 Tbsp olive oil
Kosher salt
Cinnamon and nutmeg (optional)

Directions:

1. Cut the pumpkin in half.

2. Using a strong metal spoon, scoop out the insides. Place the stringy core and seeds in a bowl.

3. Add water to your pumpkin seed mixture. The seeds will float to the top. Use a spoon to remove the seeds and place in a sieve to drain.

4. Wash and drain the seeds thoroughly, removing all of the remaining stringy core.

5. Add the seeds (about ½ cup) into 2 cups of water and boil gently for 10 minutes.

6. Drain the seeds, toss in olive oil, then place on a lined baking sheet. I like to use my Silpat liner for easy cleanup!

7. Bake until the seeds begin to brown, about 10 to 20 minutes depending on their size.

8. Let the seeds cool completely, then toss in a little kosher salt for a savory treat. For a sweet treat, toss with a dash cinnamon and nutmeg.

9. Enjoy with friends!

Crunch a Color Kids Vote: Toasty!

What we Liked: This easy toasted pumpkin seeds recipe is a great way to show your kids how to enjoy every part of the pumpkin. Tune in next week when we share how to make pumpkin puree and turn it into a delicious pumpkin pie.  

* What is your favorite way to bake pumpkin seeds? Sweet or savory?

Craving more easy recipes to try? Catch up on last week’s recipe: Savory apple soup!

About the author: Jennifer Tyler Lee is a mom of two children and the creator of Crunch a Color® -- the award-winning nutrition games that make healthy eating fun. Like most parents, she struggled to get her kids to eat healthy, balanced meals, so she decided to make it into a healthy eating game and she’s giving back to support non-profit kids’ nutrition programs. Winner of the Dr. Toy and Parent Tested, Parent Approved awards, Crunch a Color® has been featured by Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, Laurie David’s Family Dinner, Kiwi Magazine, Dr. Greene, and Yum Food & Fun For Kids, among many others, as a simple, fun and playful way to get kids to eat healthy and try new foods. Jennifer’s passion is making mealtime fun, easy and healthy for busy families. Her easy recipes, quick tips, and new food adventures are regularly featured at Pottery Barn Kids, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, The Huffington Post, and on her weekly recipe blog at crunchacolor.com.