Last updated on February 11th, 2024 at 09:10 am
It’s Autumn and with it comes oh-halloween!!! There is something so special about Autumn. I wouldn’t say I love it more than summer, who loves anything more than summer, but it’s such a great time of the year to celebrate. The scarves come out, the winter boots get dusted off, and the oven is baking away through the holidays.
Check out more of my easy pumpkin recipes to see what else you can make
October also brings us carving pumpkins for the much celebrated Halloween! While I love Halloween it’s self, trick or treating, dressing the kids up and handing out candy, I also love carving pumpkins. We tend to carve quite a few pumpkins each year and with that comes a plethora of seeds to dispose of but wait don’t throw them in the trash. That’s just wasteful. Why not try my simple roasted pumpkin seeds recipe below. They are crunchy, they are salty, and very delicious!
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Ingredients
- One medium/large pumpkin
- Salt
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
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Clean out your pumpkin into a bowl and separate the seeds from the pumpkin
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Wash your seeds off
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Using a measuring cup, measure your seeds and place in saucepan
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For every 1/2 cup of seeds use 2 cups of water & 1 Tbsp of salt
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Bring salt and seeds to a boil, simmer for ten minutes
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Drain and pat dry on a towel
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Coat a cookie sheet with extra virgin olive oil (about 1 to 1 1/2 tsp)
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Lay the seeds on top of the oil and use a brush to coat the top of them
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Sprinkle a little extra salt on top if you like them salty
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Bake in the oven on 400 degrees F for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown
Recipe Notes
I like my seeds salty and crunchy so I cook them a little longer and add the salt on top. Up to you!
Storing Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
I like to keep mine in a tightly sealed jar so they last. You can leave them in an air tight container on the counter for around a month. If you don’t think you’ll eat them within that time then they will last up to 3 months in the fridge. Then when you have guests over you can make a great tray of nibbles with them like I did below. If you like sunflower seeds you will love these.
Benefits Of Roasting Pumpkin Seeds
Reducing Waste – There is nothing worse than food waste, an pumpkin season should be no exception. I hate seeing perfectly good food being thrown away, so while you have the oven on to roast your pumpkin flesh you might as well prep the seeds for roasting too.
Easy – It is so easy to make roasted pumpkin seeds, and once you’ve done it once you’ll wonder whey you never did it before. It’s a simple way to make a tasty snack.
Great Source Of Fibre – While I love all the tasty sugary snacks that we often have in the fall, sometimes you’ve got to think of your health. Pumpkin seeds are great source of fibre and unsaturated fats, helping to keep you fuller for longer.
So Many Options – While I have given you one option for flavouring your roasted pumpkin seeds above, with just plain sea salt, there are loads of varieties you can try. If you like a little spice then try adding chilli or a touch of cumin, or if you like some sweetness then honey roasted is always a firm favourite. You don’t have to be restricted, try whatever flavours you like.
So while you are scraping out those pumpkins to carve, set aside those seeds and insides and make use of them later. The kids will love washing them and helping you bake them for a yummy treat after you are done carving. Or bag them up with some ribbon and give as gifts to friends and family and spread the holiday cheer!
Mmm they look yummy! I’m afraid to say our pumpkin seeds ended up scattered all over the patio, but when I carve the big one I’ll have to remember to save them!
Oh yes I just throw them in a carrier bag while I am carving and put the bag in the sink for washing up later! lol Try them so yummy. Thanks for popping by Carie!
Lovely photos – I especially like the pumpkin shape you created using the seeds X
Thanks I wasn’t sure if everyone would know that that’s what it’s supposed to be. I am no artist! lol hahaha Glad you like. Thanks for popping by and commenting hun.
Great idea Jenny, I’ve been guilty of throwing away my pumpkin seeds in the past but definitely going to try this. Thanks for sharing xx
Yes do they are so yummy. I love them with some hot chocolate on the side. And its free basically because you would just be throwing them out.
Such a good idea. We’ll be carving a pumpkin tomorrow so I’ll remember to save the seeds #tastytuesday
Oh yes do they are so yummy and go great with hot chocolate. Let me know what you think. Or tweet a photo and i will share it. Lol
Yummy!
Thanks hunny. 🙂
I like mine still with pumpkin on them, so I bake them dirty – but I will have to try this as well
Great pictures btw- you keep getting better and better
Thank you and that sounds great too. I might have to try your way out soon! 😉
Very good idea and will definitely try it. Thank you for linking up with #FoodieFriday
I was so excited to find foodie friday. Thanks for hosting. I hope to link up each week now. Great recipe too this week for you. Thanks lovely.
I always make pumpkin seeds after the carving too. So tasty, they’re usually gone in a day!
Here too, I have none left for actual halloween. Guess that only means I need to carve more pumpkins. hahaha
I’d never thought of eating the seeds, shame on me! Will definitely try this, thanks Jenny. The photos are beautiful too.
Thank you so much hun. If you like salted sunflower seeds you are in for a real treat they are delicious. Pin my recipe and try them next year. You won’t be disappointed. And it saves on the waste. hahaha Happy Halloween.
Fab pictures and reminds me of Cypriot roasted seeds with their shells on, they add seasalt to the outside like you mention too! The perfect snack! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays
Thanks for hosting. Oh yes got to have see salt on them for sure.
These are so brilliant – I always make pumpkin seed snacks after Halloween, and sometimes I even use butternut squash seeds. A very tasty snack, and oh my, what beautiful pictures #tastytuesdays
Thank you ever so much. Yes I am the same could eat them all day. So yummy.
Followed your recipe for a late night snack. I made quite a mess washing them but I think next year I will get my daughter involved. They were yummy and look forward to trying some new toppings in the future. Your photos are amazing! Talented lady!
Sometimes I don’t wash them very good and then after you bake it the pumpkin stuff comes off anyways. Hope you liked tasting them though so yummy