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A Halloween Hit: Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Posted Fri, Sep 28, 2007, 7:13 pm PDT

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Because so much emphasis is placed on trick-or-treat candy at Halloween, there's no sense fighting it. Parents can, however, encourage their children to see beyond the candy and include other foods in the festivities. Introducing a pumpkin to your home during this holiday offers several opportunities to use food to build special memories between parents and children. Pumpkin picking, whether at a farm or a supermarket, will give a child a chance to be involved in the holiday preparations -- and gives a parent the chance to introduce where pumpkins come from. Did you know that they're a member of the cucumber (or Cucurbitaceae) family?

If you are selecting a pumpkin at the supermarket for carving at home, show your kids that many foods are related. Use the pumpkin as an "in" to the produce section. Melons, squash, and cucumbers are all in the pumpkin family. Let the kids touch and smell these items to help them make the connection. In fact, depending of their age, you can share that gourds have been cultivated for thousands of years by many cultures around the world, including Native Americans, for their usefulness as storage containers, ornaments, and utensils.

Once the pumpkin is carved with adult supervision (another bonding activity), use the seeds to create a new snack for them to try. I love roasted pumpkin seeds. Kids love to call them "Pumpkin Brains." They are rich in fiber and vitamins B and E. Of course, the kids don't have to know how healthy they are...

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds (aka "Pumpkin Brains")

Most people prefer to only use salt. I, on the other hand, like to experiment with seasoning (for example, try them lightly sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar). You choose!

2 cups pumpkin seeds (a little pulp and/or strings can remain attached)

2 tsp. melted butter or vegetable oil

Salt to taste (or optional seasonings -- have fun)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Toss seeds in a bowl with the other ingredients. Spread seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for approximately 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown.

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61 Comments

1. Posted by Marilee K on Sat, Sep 29, 2007, 10:59 am PDT

This is also a great idea for squash seeds...butternut, red kouri and acorn all have plump seeds that are tasty and just right for roasting. When we roast the seeds we use a little olive oil, sea salt, pepper and a little garlic powder.
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2. Posted by DaLToN DiGGLeR on Sun, Sep 30, 2007, 12:16 pm PDT

all seeds r good
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3. Posted by Shorty on Tue, Oct 02, 2007, 10:34 am PDT

Lawry's Hot and Spicy Season Salt!! Yum!
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4. Posted by mdirks83 on Tue, Oct 02, 2007, 1:44 pm PDT

Once I made these and accidentally forgot about them in the oven. They baked for over 2 hours and turned out better than ever! They were very crunchy, but not over done. I use garlic salt and a little regular Lawry's Seasoned Salt.
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5. Posted by Charity on Tue, Oct 02, 2007, 2:15 pm PDT

I have always got the pumpkin seeds and put them in a large bowl and let them soak over night in salt water. It lets the flavor seep in and after cooking them in the over for about a hour it turns out DELISH! Maybe this year i will try seasons other than salt.
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6. Posted by Donna on Tue, Oct 02, 2007, 4:06 pm PDT

yum ... i love fall! Pumpkin EVERYTHING.
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7. Posted by Kristi on Wed, Oct 03, 2007, 12:06 pm PDT

Pumpkin recipies are the best...Thanks for a reminder to cook the seeds at a lower temperature, also all your pumpkin recipies are on my hit list this fall!
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8. Posted by a_mack35 on Sat, Oct 06, 2007, 11:08 am PDT

Try 'em with some buffalo seasoning!!
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9. Posted by laross1980 on Sat, Oct 06, 2007, 11:12 am PDT

i tthink the yellow squash sounds great
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10. Posted by monroe on Sat, Oct 06, 2007, 11:46 am PDT

once roasted (I don't use oil) fry them in 1 1/2 T. oil and 2T. sugar (very quick) Mix and add 3 T. sugar, and 1/4 t. each coarse salt, cumin, cinnamon, ginger and cayenne pepper (or 1/8)
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11. Posted by silancedogz on Sat, Oct 06, 2007, 12:03 pm PDT

Only birds eat seeds. Anyone ever hear of diverticulitis? Not a fun condition to have.
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12. Posted by Melva R on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:08 pm PDT

Apparently there is no evidence to support the commonly held belief that seeds will cause diverticulitis.
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13. Posted by ashleyblazek on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:13 pm PDT

tony's chacherie's is the best
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14. Posted by pspetron62 on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:19 pm PDT

Skip the oil, you don't need it. I've been roasting pumpkin seeds in the oven for years. I've NEVER used oil. You must stir the seeds every 15 minutes or so.
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15. Posted by cookie on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:20 pm PDT

You got it all Wrong!!!!! I myself love to cook pumpkin seeds!!! Hints... 1st use extra vigin olive oil only! 2nd kosher Salt! Mix Ins Try cooking them with 3 or 4 strips of bacon mmmm adds great flavor... or put some hot sause in the mix for some bite!!!
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16. Posted by iH8TV on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:20 pm PDT

You would have to eat a ton of seeds to get diverticulitis, unless you are prone to having this disorder which is associated with so many other things than pumpkin seeds. Leave it to some throwack to bring up such a miniscule negative. For PETES SAKE PEOPLE !!!!!!!!!
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17. Posted by M on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:21 pm PDT

In order to get diverticulitis, you have to have diverticuli in your colon. If you have diverticuli (the little pockets in your colon), you won't want to eat nuts or seeds. No diverticuli? Eat away.
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18. Posted by hmartin1122 on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:22 pm PDT

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diverticulitis-diet/AN01255
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19. Posted by dpfreez76 on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:24 pm PDT

I like to soak my seeds in Jack Danials for a few hours then roast them. Pretty good stuff.
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20. Posted by ninnylouwho on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:25 pm PDT

Instead of melted butter or vegetable oil use butter flavored spay it taste the same without all the fat,add garlic salt bake and enjoy.
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21. Posted by bladelet on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:31 pm PDT

I love my mom's pumpkin seeds .The best she put's a little honey on them at the end. I love them so do my kid's.
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22. Posted by Ada F on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:31 pm PDT

my kids string them and wear them around their necks as jewery.
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23. Posted by macapp@att.net on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:43 pm PDT

Pumpkin seeds roasted are delicious any way you make them. If you are afraid of diverticulous {not spelled right} give them to the squirrels or birds.
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24. Posted by srhlvschrs on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:48 pm PDT

Yum! Those all look so good I might have to get 5 pumpkins this year :)
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25. Posted by merlotded on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:52 pm PDT

all the recipes sound good, I will try them. as far as the seeds and diverticulitis, you dont get it from seeds, the seeds are only a problem AFTER you already have it- how lame to bring it up anyway, we could go on forever about all the stuff thats bad for you- ummm oil makes you fat, sugar and diabetes, dont forget smoking is bad for you, you shouldnt drink alcohol if you are pregnant and on down the line. I am going to go roast some seeds! in oil, shaken in sugar while drinking a glass of wine (not pregnant)t and smoking a cig- ENJOY!
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26. Posted by Jenifer B on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:52 pm PDT

They are great with BBQ sauce, too.
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27. Posted by jeffanddonnacurtis on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:54 pm PDT

Cajun Style - Soak the seeds in Zatarain's Shrimp and Crab Boil and then roast with a little seasoning salt - butter is optional. Oh Yea! Bet ya can't eat just a handful. The longer you soak them, the hotter they get. I prefer to use the liquid concentrate, but the powder and bags are OK too. Enjoy
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28. Posted by POCA on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:54 pm PDT

Pumpkin Seed: spread olive oil on cookie sheet, sprinkle garlic pepper, 450 degrees for one hour mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
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29. Posted by "tiger" on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:58 pm PDT

Seeds are by far one of the best things u can eat!!!! go sweet a lil no cal sweetner and a lil cinnamon...yummy!!!!
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30. Posted by Lea M on Thu, Oct 25, 2007, 5:58 pm PDT

pumpkin seeds are my favorite.I got my 3 kids addicted to them
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