Mama J’s Gourmet Pumpkin Seeds
It’s Halloween time which means…Pumpkins! Jack-o-lanterns, pumpkin pie, and, of course, pumpkin seeds. However, when most people think of pumpkin seeds they think of something plain and simple like salt and pepper.
Growing up with my mom Julie, also known as Mama J to my friends, there was no such thing as plain pumpkin seeds. I had roasted seeds with garlic and butter or sweet cinnamon sugar coated seeds. They never disappointed and my friends couldn’t wait for me to bring my little plastic bag of pumpkin seeds in my school lunch.
So, now that I’m going to be away at college when my mom makes her delicious pumpkin seeds, I’ve decided to learn the recipe myself and I’m sharing it with all of my fellow students at Eckerd. It’s very simple!
Ingredients:
– 2 cups raw pumpkin seeds – 1 tsp. salt
– 2-3 tbsp. melted butter
Separate seeds from pumpkin fiber, rinse gently, and pat dry. Toss in a bowl with melted butter and salt. Spread seeds in a single layer on a cookie sheet, and slow roast at 300 degrees for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden brown. Want to kick it up?
Try adding one of these variations to your butter:
– 1 tsp. garlic powder
or…
– 1 tsp. cinnamon sugar, with 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
or…
– 1 tsp. Cajun seasoning
Happy Halloween and enjoy your pumpkin seeds!