Serving - 1 Cup
One of my late-night guilty pleasures is popcorn. I love to try and be creative with my popcorn flavors. Sometimes, I have even been known to match the flavor of my popcorn to the type of movie that I am watching. If it is a romantic comedy type of night then I make my popcorn sweet, but if I am watching a horror film I might try something a bit spicey. During fall, many of us take pumpkins and turn them into magnificent pieces of artwork (Jack O'Lanterns). Before starting our masterpiece, we must remove the seeds from the pumpkin. Instead of throwing the pumpkin seeds away, try one of the following three seasonings to make a simple treat for yourself. Replace your late-night popcorn cravings this season with pumpkin seeds.
Spicey Pumpkin Seeds
Ingredients:
1 cup of pumpkin seeds
1/2 tsp of paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp of salt
1 tsp of olive oil
Instructions:
1. Place all of the dry ingredients into a bowl except the pumpkin seeds (paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt).
2. Add the wet ingredient to the bowl (olive oil).
3. Stir mixture together.
4. Add the pumpkin seeds and stir so the seasoning evenly coats the pumpkin seeds.
5. Place the pumpkin seeds on a metal tray. It is best to use parchment paper or tin foil on the tray for easy cleanup.
6. Place the tray into the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes or until the seeds are golden brown.
7. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
8. Enjoy!
Dill & Vinegar Pumpkin Seeds
Ingredients:
1 cup of pumpkin seeds
2 tsp of olive oil
1 tsp of white vinegar
1/4 tsp of salt
1/4 tsp of garlic powder
1 tsp of dry dill
Instructions:
1. Place all of the dry ingredients into a bowl except the pumpkin seeds (garlic powder, salt, and dill).
2. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl (olive oil and white vinegar).
3. Stir mixture together.
4. Add the pumpkin seeds and stir so the seasoning evenly coats the pumpkin seeds.
5. Place the pumpkin seeds on a metal tray. It is best to use parchment paper or tin foil on the tray for easy clean-up.
6. Place the tray into the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes or until the seeds are golden brown.
7. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
8. Enjoy!
Little Italy Pumpkin Seeds
Ingredients:
1 cup of pumpkin seeds
2 tsp of olive oil
1/2 tsp of basil
1/2 tsp of oregano
1/2 tsp of salt
1/4 tsp of thyme
1/4 tsp of rosemary
1/4 tsp of garlic powder
Instructions:
1. Place all of the dry ingredients into a bowl except the pumpkin seeds (basil, oregano, salt, thyme, rosemary, and garlic powder).
2. Add the wet ingredient to the bowl (olive oil).
3. Stir mixture together.
4. Add the pumpkin seeds and stir so the seasoning evenly coats the pumpkin seeds.
5. Place the pumpkin seeds on a metal tray. It is best to use parchment paper or tin foil on the tray for easy clean-up.
6. Place the tray into the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes or until the seeds are golden brown.
7. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
8. Enjoy!
Additional Information:
To prepare the seeds for baking, make sure to separate the "guts" of the pumpkin from the seeds. You can easily do this by putting the seeds into a large bowl of water. The pumpkin seeds will float to the top and the "guts" will sink to the bottom. This can be a messy task so be prepared. Dry the seeds with a towel or paper towel afterward. The more dry the pumpkin seeds are, the less time they will need in the oven.
If you are looking for more flavor in your seeds, boil your pumpkin seeds in water with salt for 10 minutes. This will ensure the flavor gets into the inside of the seed instead of just acting as a coating. This is not mandatory and I have made pumpkin seeds plenty of times without boiling them. It is your choice.
In Costa Rica, I often have difficulty finding dry dill in the seasoning section of the supermarket. Normally, I buy fresh dill at the farmer's market, however, when using dill as a seasoning for this recipe I want my dill to be dry. I first wash and dry my dill and place only the leaves or frondes onto a baking sheet. Putting tin foil or parchment paper over your baking sheet helps aid in clean-up. I place the dill into the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes or until the dill can easily crumble into small pieces. You can save the leftover dill for future use in other recipes.
Pumpkin seeds are high in antioxidants which help decrease inflammation in your body. These healthful seeds can help you lower your blood sugar, increase your sleep quality, and aid in fertility. Pumpkin seeds are great for your heart and digestive health as they include a lot of fiber. Because of the plethora of health benefits, you may even find that you want to add these seeds for a crunch on top of your weekly salads.
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