Fresh pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are a tasty snack that is also healthful. There is no guilt in eating pumpkin seeds, and they aren't difficult to prepare. No matter if you enjoy sweet, spicy or savory flavors, there is a way to prepare pumpkin seeds that you will like.
Preparation
You can get seeds from any type of pumpkin you happen to have, and no one type of pumpkin is superior to any other in terms of the final roasted seeds. After opening the top of the pumpkin, scoop out the pulp and separate the seeds.
Boil a pot of lightly salted water, and add the seeds to it. Let them boil for 10 minutes, remove them with a slotted spoon or strainer, and let them drain on a couple of layered paper towels for at least five minutes.
For each of the following recipes, you will need to preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and the seeds will be baked until they are golden brown--approximately 12 minutes.
Sweet Pumpkin Seeds
To make sweetly flavored pumpkin seeds, mix together one egg white, half a teaspoon of vanilla extract, one-third cup of sugar, and one teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Toss the pumpkin seeds in this mixture until they are evenly coated. Spread them on a baking sheet, and place them in the oven for about 12 minutes.
Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
Spicy pumpkin seeds can range from mildly spicy to very hot. Alter the spices in this recipe to suite your tastes, and remember that you can add more or less of the spices.
Mix together one egg white with two teaspoons of curry powder, half a teaspoon of sea salt, a teaspoon of cayenne pepper and ground black pepper to taste. For a spicier kick, add a few dashes of hot sauce to the egg white mixture.
After evenly coating the pumpkin seeds in the mixture, spread them on a baking sheet and put them in the oven until they are golden brown.
Garlic Parmesan Pumpkin Seeds
Garlic and Parmesan are savory flavors that compliment each other. As with the other pumpkin seed recipes, alter this one to your tastes. You can go light on the garlic or add as much garlic as you'd like.
Crushed garlic works best for this recipe. Mix together an egg white, one tablespoon of crushed or minced garlic, two teaspoons of powdered or finely grated Parmesan cheese and a half teaspoon of sea salt. Toss the pumpkin seeds in the mixture, ensuring that they are evenly coated. Place them in one layer on a baking sheet, and put them in the oven for 12 minutes.
Tags: baking sheet, half teaspoon, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seeds, them oven
