How To Roast Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin is the name of a squash-like fruit that belongs to Cucurbitaceae family. Thought to have originated in North America, the fruit usually weighs between 9 and 18 lbs (4 and 8 kg). Most of the pumpkins are yellow or orange in color, with dark green, pale green, orange-yellow, white, red and gray being rare shades in the fruit. Apart from its pulp, pumpkin is known for its seeds as well. They are a great source of potassium and when roasted, can prove to be delicious snacks. Read on to know how to cook pumpkin seeds.

Cooking Pumpkin Seeds At Home

In The Oven

Items Needed

Pumpkin Seeds
Baking Sheet
Oil
Salt
Airtight Container

Instructions

First of all, you need to cut or carve the pumpkin and scoop out all the seeds from inside it.
Rinse pumpkin seeds under cold water, while removing all the pulp and strings attached to them.
After you feel that the seeds are completely clean, and devoid of any pulp or strings, take out a baking sheet.
Lightly coat the sheet with the help of oil. Remember to stir the seeds on the sheet, so as to coat them as well.
Sprinkle some salt on the pumpkin seeds
Preheat the oven for 2-3 minutes and then, bake the seeds at 325 degrees F for 25 minutes, or until toasted.
Check the seeds after every 10 minutes, stirring them every time.
After the seeds have been roasted properly, remove them from the oven and let them cool down to room temperature.
Finally, store them in an airtight container.

On Flame

Items Needed

Pumpkin Seeds
Paper Towel
Salt
Chili Powder
Garlic Powder
Other Seasoning (optional)
Large, heavy-bottomed Skillet

Instructions

First of all, you need to cut or carve the pumpkin and scoop out all the seeds from inside it.
Rinse pumpkin seeds under cold water, while removing all the pulp and strings attached to them.
After you feel that the seeds are completely clean, and devoid of any pulp or strings, put them on a paper towel and let them dry for a few minutes.
Sprinkle the pumpkin seeds with salt, along with the chili powder, garlic powder and any other seasoning, and toast them well, in a large heavy-bottomed skillet.
Place the skillet on flame and roast the pumpkin seeds, while making sure to stir them on a frequent basis.
Keep on roasting the seeds, until they turn light brown. However, make sure that you do not end up burning them.
You pumpkin seeds are ready! You can either consume them as a snack or add them to salad or soup, to get that extra crunch.

Tips

If you want your pumpkin seeds to be extra salty, it is advisable to boil them in heavily salted water for ten minutes, before roasting them.
The extra seasonings that you can enjoy with pumpkin seeds are Cajun seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic salt.

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