one pumpkin's trash is another woman's treasure

Growing up, my favorite part about carving pumpkins was what my mother would do with the seeds. If your like me, you may not carve the prettiest pumpkin, but you do get a few delicious seed snacks out of the gourd. So instead of throwing our the innards, collect them, take any pumpkin pieces and stringy pumpkin bits off of the seeds, and dry them on some paper towels.

Oh, and get creative :)

Salt and Pepper Pumpkin Seeds

2 cups pumpkin seeds (make sure they are totally dried)

2-3 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil (enough to just coat all the seeds)

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

*Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 

*Spread the seeds onto a baking sheet. Coat the seeds in olive oil.

* Sprinkle the salt and pepper onto the seeds. Move the seeds around with a spatula to ensure that all the seeds have an equal coating of seasoning

*Bake in the over for about 12-15 minutes. Once they start getting golden brown, the seeds are done.

Garlic Pumpkin Seeds
*Same as above, just add a teaspoon of garlic powder to the seeds with the salt and pepper
step by step photo instructions

Curried Pumpkin Seeds
1 egg white
2 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 cup fresh pumpkin seeds

*Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray baking sheet with non stick spray.

*Whisk the egg white, curry, and salt together. Add the pumpkin seeds.

*Spread the seeds on a baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

*OR TRY THIS RECIPE!*

Fall Flavored Pumpkin Seeds
1 cup pumpkin seeds
1 to 2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice

*Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 

*Spread the seeds onto a baking sheet. Coat the seeds in melted butter.

* Sprinkle the sugar onto the seeds. Mix around, then continue to sprinkle spices onto the seeds. Move the seeds around with a spatula to ensure that all the seeds have an equal coating of spices.

*Bake in the over for about 12-15 minutes. Once they start getting golden brown, the seeds are done.

Candied Pumpkin Seeds
1 cup pumpkin seeds
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or any combination of other spices you like)
1/4 teaspoon salt

 *Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. (because we want the sugar to completely melt, we cook at a lower temperature for longer.)

*Spread the seeds onto a baking sheet. Coat the seeds in melted butter.

* Sprinkle the sugar onto the seeds. Mix around, making the sugar coating as evenly as possible. Sprinkle pumpkin spice onto the seeds. Move the seeds around with a spatula to ensure that all the seeds have an equal coating of spices and sugar.
*Bake in the over for about 32-35 minutes. Once they start getting golden brown, and the sugar is all melted and bubbly, the seeds are done. WATCH TO MAKE SURE SUGAR DOESN'T BURN!