Index of Recipes

Saturday, October 23, 2010

What to do with your pumpkin seeds

I never really know what to do except roast them in the oven with a little salt.  This year, I tried a new technique and a new spice combination and it was awesome!  You only dry the seeds in the oven - the toasting happens on the stovetop and the spices are added after that.  This isn't the low-sugar option but it was delicious!  Big sister declared them "Yum."

I know it's not Halloween yet, but here are some photos of the girls from today.

Big sister in her cowgirl costume:

The pumpkin dad carved for her:


The little pumpkin:



And, the toasted seeds:



Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds (makes 1 cup)
from Martha Stewart's website

1 cup pumpkin seeds, fresh out of the pumpkin and rinsed
4 T sugar
1 T vegetable oil
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
cayenne pepper to taste

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (I think foil would work fine) and spread the pumpkin seeds in a single layer.  Bake in a 250 degree oven for about an hour, stirring once or twice.  You want the seeds to be really dry but not toasted or brown.

Mix the spices in a bowl with 2 tablespoons of the sugar.  Heat the oil in a medium saucepan.  Add the pumpkin seeds and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar.  Toast, stirring constantly, until the sugar melts and the seeds caramelize and turn light brown - about 45 seconds - 2 minutes.

Dump the seeds right into the bowl with the spices and stir well to coat the seeds.  Let them cool off and enjoy!

2 comments:

  1. Love the cowgirl and the little pumpkin.

    ReplyDelete
  2. These seeds are so good! I've made them before but I toasted some today and they're that perfect balance of sweet and spicy. If they didn't have so much sugar they'd probably be gone by now ;)

    ReplyDelete