Don't throw away the pumpkin seeds as you can roast them for a delicious snack! Rinse the pumpkin seeds in cold water before drying and roast them in the oven until golden brown. You can add spices as desired to make pumpkin seeds a sweet, spicy, or flavorful snack.
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Part 1 of 4: Removing Pumpkin Seeds
Step 1. Slice off the top of the pumpkin so you can remove the seeds
To do this, use a sharp knife to make a circle around the pumpkin stalk. Make a circle wide enough for your hand to fit inside the pumpkin. Take a circle at the top of the pumpkin after you slice it.
Step 2. Take the pumpkin seeds using a large spoon
The bigger the spoon you use, the more seeds you can take at one time. Scrape the sides of the pumpkin to loosen the seeds and flesh. Take all pumpkin seeds if possible.
You can also use your hands or a pumpkin carving tool (which is used for Halloween parties)
Step 3. Put all the seeds and flesh attached to the large bowl
When scooping, place the seeds and flesh of the pumpkin in a large bowl so that it holds all of them. Remove any chunks of flesh that carry with the seeds when you transfer them to the bowl. However, you don't need to remove all the fibers that are also sticking to the seeds.
If the pumpkin is small, you don't need to use a large bowl
Part 2 of 4: Washing and Drying Pumpkin Seeds
Step 1. Place the seeds in a colander, then rinse with cold water
This is useful for loosening the pulp and fibers that stick to the pumpkin seeds so that you can clean them easily. Place the sieve containing the pumpkin seeds under running water, then use your hands to twist and stir.
Step 2. Remove the pumpkin seeds from the sieve and place them on a kitchen towel
When the pumpkin seeds are clean, remove them from the sieve and place them on a clean kitchen towel. If there are still pumpkin fibers stuck to the seeds, remove them by hand if possible.
You can also place pumpkin seeds on paper towels, although this can stick to the paper towels
Step 3. Dry the pumpkin seeds by patting them with a kitchen towel
Spread the pumpkin seeds on a towel and gently pat the seeds dry. When they are dry, place the pumpkin seeds in a bowl.
- Apart from wiping them, you can also remove excess water from the pumpkin seeds by shaking them in a colander.
- If it's still damp when you put it in the oven, the pumpkin seeds won't roast properly.
Part 3 of 4: Seasoning Pumpkin Seeds
Step 1. Toss pumpkin seeds with oil or butter
Place the clean, dry pumpkin seeds in a bowl, then pour the melted butter or oil on top until the pumpkin seeds are slightly covered. Stir in the pumpkin seeds and butter or oil using a large spoon until all the seeds are evenly coated.
- You can use olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil.
- The amount of butter or oil needed depends on the number of pumpkin seeds you want to roast. However, you should start with a little oil. You can add oil if needed.
Step 2. Add desired seasonings
The seasonings can be Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, paprika powder, salt, pepper, or whatever seasoning you prefer. Sprinkle the desired amount of seasoning on the pumpkin seeds in the bowl.
- Experiment with the types and amounts of spices used. Sprinkle some seasoning first before you increase the amount.
- For a delicious and easy-to-make pumpkin seed, just sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- For a strong flavor, try adding chili powder, Cajun seasoning, or seasoning for crab.
- For sweet pumpkin seeds, add sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Step 3. Stir in the pumpkin seeds and spices until well combined using a large spoon
Stir the mixture gently, making sure the pumpkin seeds are evenly coated in the oil/butter and seasoning of your choice. If the seasoning is lacking so that there are pumpkin seeds that are not coated with spices, feel free to add more seasoning to the mixture.
Part 4 of 4: Roasting Pumpkin Seeds
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 177 °C and prepare a baking sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the seeds from sticking to the pan, although you can also use aluminum foil. When the oven is preheated, the pumpkin seeds are ready to be roasted.
Step 2. Spread the pumpkin seeds evenly on the baking sheet
Use a spoon to spread the seasoned pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure the pumpkin seeds are evenly distributed and not lumpy. This is useful so that the pumpkin seeds can ripen evenly.
If there are still pumpkin seeds piled up, try roasting them in two sessions so you can get the pumpkin seeds to ripen evenly
Step 3. Roast the pumpkin seeds for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally
Remove the pan from the oven every 10 minutes and stir the seeds with a wooden spoon or other kitchen utensil. This is to ensure that the pumpkin seeds ripen evenly. Pumpkin seeds are ripe when they are brown.
Step 4. Enjoy the seeds warm or let them cool to room temperature
Once you've removed the seeds and turned off the oven, transfer the pumpkin seeds to a bowl or serving plate using a spatula. You can eat it warm, or let it cool for a few minutes.
Step 5. Put the pumpkin seeds in an airtight container and store for about 1 week
If you want to store them, put the pumpkin seeds in an airtight container, such as a jar, plastic bag, or tupperware container. Pumpkin seeds can stay fresh for 1 week or more at room temperature, or 1 month if stored in the freezer.
- If you want to store pumpkin seeds in the freezer, you'll need to put them in an airtight container first.
- Write the date on the container so you know when the beans were roasted.
