Do you know how to eat pumpkin seeds? The method is quite simple. Pumpkin seeds are full of flavor and vitamins, making them healthy and enjoyable as a snack. Just make sure you chew it well. Read up on these two ways to eat pumpkin seeds, as well as some recipe suggestions.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Roasting Pumpkin Seeds
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius)
Step 2. Separate all the pumpkin seeds from the flesh
The best way to do this is by hand, or perhaps by using an old, clean comb, which shouldn't be a problem if the comb gets dirty. Use the comb to separate the seeds from the fibrous part of the flesh.
Step 3. If you want, clean the skin of the pumpkin seeds
The bits of flesh that were still attached to the pumpkin? Some people like to leave it alone, because they like the flavor it imparts in the end result. If you don't want the fleshy strips on the outside of the pumpkin skin, here's how to try and remove them:
Soak the pumpkin seeds in water for a few hours, then strain them in a sieve. Using your hands, stir the pumpkin seeds in a colander, and allow the sieve to catch any remaining pulp. When you pour the beans out of the sieve, they should be fairly clean
Step 4. Dry the seeds with paper towels, if needed, and spread them out on a plate for roasting
While no additional seasoning is required, this is the time to spice up your pumpkin seeds:
- Season with a little curry, red chili, or chipotle flakes (dried jalapeno pepper flakes) for a savory and spicy taste.
- Season with a little cinnamon, cloves, or nutmeg for a sweet taste.
- Season with table salt or sea salt for added saltiness.
Step 5. Place the pumpkin seeds in the oven for 20 minutes, or until they are golden and crispy
Let it cool before eating it!
Method 2 of 4: Roasted Pumpkin Seeds (Pre-boiled)
Step 1. Use this method to get perfectly cooked pumpkin seeds
While this may sound a bit odd, boiling the pumpkin seeds first gives them a full flavor. (and you don't even have to worry about the pumpkin seeds getting wet/runny).
Step 2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) and take some water to boil in the pot
For every half cup of pumpkin seeds you roast, use two cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Step 3. Separate all the pumpkin seeds from the flesh
The best way is to do it by hand, although you can also use an old (clean) comb. Use a comb to separate the pumpkin seeds from the fiber and flesh.
Step 4. Boil the pumpkin seeds in water for 10 minutes
Remove and drain in a colander.
Step 5. Coat the roasting pan with a thin layer of olive oil and place the seeds in the pan
Step 6. Bake in the oven on the top rack, between 5 to 20 minutes
Small seeds will be brown and crispy after 5 to 7 minutes, medium seeds will take about 10 to 15 minutes, and large seeds may take as long as 20 minutes to ripen. Let it cool before eating it.
Method 3 of 4: Other Ways to Eat Pumpkin Seeds
Step 1. Eat it raw or straight from the pumpkin
Eat it as it is naturally, straight from the source.
Step 2. Fry in a frying pan
Pour some olive oil in a frying pan, along with your pumpkin seeds, and fry them until they start to pop.
For a sweet surprise for this recipe, add a tablespoon of sugar to a frying pan with pumpkin seeds (without olive oil). Let the pumpkin seeds caramel until they start popping too
Step 3. Add your pumpkin seeds to other recipes
Pumpkin seeds themselves taste great, but they can give other dishes a spike in flavor, if you put them in:
- Salad
- Brittle (a kind of ting-ting/teng-teng snack)
- Bread
- Pesto (a type of sauce from Italy)
- Flan (caramel custard)
- And others
Method 4 of 4: How to Eat Pumpkin Seeds
Step 1. Be aware that many people prefer to eat pumpkin seeds as they are, along with the skin
If you roast your pumpkin seeds into a snack, the outer skin doesn't really need to be removed to enjoy the inner seeds, although some people prefer to do this.
Step 2. Remove the skin of the pumpkin seeds and only take the seeds
To do this:
- Hold the pumpkin seed in your hand or crush it in your mouth.
- Crack the skin of the pumpkin seeds with your teeth, as you would with sunflower seeds.
- Take the inside of the seed and remove the outer skin.
