I wanted to share a fun #Holiday that falls on October 2nd National Pumpkin Seed Day #PumpkinSeedDay. Halloween is right around the corner and people will be purchasing Pumpkins to carve and decorate.
For a fun cooking experiment with your children that would be a great #Homerschool Resource keep the Pumpkin Seeds to roast with your children as a snack. For those of you that haven’t had Pumpkin Seeds there just like Sunflower Seeds and just as tasty
if you like Pumpkin which Charlie and I don’t but David does and I know he would be excited to receive Pumpkin Seeds as his #snack for the week. Would you like Pumpkin Seeds if we carve a Pumpkin this year which I haven’t decided if we will do or not since Charlie has decided he wants no, part of decorating for Holidays which I hate doing with Charlie.
The first Wednesday in October, which falls on October 2nd this year. Pumpkin Seeds serves up a yummy snacks as food lovers mark National Pumpkin Seed Day. Pumpkin Seeds make the perfect snack for the Season.
Foodies across the Country will definitely have tons of experience with the tasty flavor of Roasted Pumpkin Seeds. Add the fact that Pumpkin Seeds have tons of health benefits and it’s little wonder that Pumpkin Seeds gets a whole day to itself.
Pumpkin seeds which are also known as Pepitas have been recognized for their medicinal and dietary properties for hundreds of years. According to archeological studies of an excavated tomb in Central Mexico, the first record of Pumpkin Seeds stretches back to 7000 B.C.
The Mayans and the Aztecs were among the civilizations believed to have recognized the nutritional and health benefits of Pumpkin Seeds. Their instincts were quite right. Pumpkin Seeds are one of the plant-based foods with the most nutrients. A serving of a quarter cup Pumpkin Seeds contains 17% of the daily zinc recommendation for adults alongside 15% of red blood cell-boosting iron.
One ounce of the small seed packs a staggering 8.5 grams of plant-based protein. That is about 2.5 times more than what you get from a hard-boiled Egg. That’s not all either; the flavorful treat boasts a generous stock of minerals (40% of the recommended daily intake of phosphorus, manganese, and magnesium) that support general body function.
In 2016, SuperSeedz Gourmet Pumpkin Seeds created National Pumpkin Seed Day to celebrate the amazing health benefits and culinary applications of Pumpkin Seeds. Founder, Kathie Pelliccio, started SuperSeedz with a pan in her kitchen, making yummy Pumpkin Seeds to supplement Yogurt, Oatmeal, and Salads.
Without their shells, Pumpkin Seeds make a tasty snack. To get the best out of these flavor-packed treats, try dry-roasting Pumpkin Seeds or working in some savory Seasonings. Pumpkin Seeds are versatile and can even be added to a bowl of Ice Cream. Stuff Pumpkin Seeds into baked goods for that extra crunch as you munch away, or for added protein in your Power Bars and Granolas.
National Pumpkin Seed Day Activities
- If you are looking to add a new twist to an old recipe then you should add Pumpkin Seeds to take the flavor of your favorite dish to the next level.
- Do you have a special Pumpkin Seed recipe? Why not share the recipe with family and friends or even post the recipe on Social Media? Don’t bother asking me for a recipe because I don’t have one and I don’t think anyone in my family does. What about you?
- If you have the opportunity go online and read up on the health benefits of Pumpkin Seeds. Share your newfound knowledge to increase the popularity of Pumpkin Seeds with your friends and family.
Facts About Pumpkin Seeds
- Many European Countries extract Oil from Pumpkin Seeds to use in cooking.
- Consuming a large number of Pumpkin Seeds can cause constipation and bloating.
- Pumpkin Seeds were recognized for their antiparasitic properties in the United States Pharmacopoeia during the 1800s and 1900s.
- Three tablespoonful bites of Pumpkin Seeds contain over 30 grams of the required daily Magnesium intake.
- Pumpkins belong to the Cucurbita family, which means they’re Squash.
Why People Love National Pumpkin Seed Day
- Pumpkin Seeds have several health benefits like improving sleep quality, blood sugar levels, and heart health and the delicious flavor is an added bonus.
- The small seeds deliver a mean dose of libido-boosting vitamins. B vitamins alongside vitamins C, D, E, and K help fight impotence.
- Whether you decide to eat Pumpkin Seeds raw or toast Pumpkin Seeds over a fire first, because Pumpkin Seeds are delicious.
Recipe Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 45 mins Total Time: 50 mins Servings: 6 Yield: 1 1/2 cups
How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds
How to Clean Pumpkin Seeds
The most laborious part of roasting pumpkin seeds is prepping them. You first have to separate the seeds from the gooey mess inside of the pumpkin. Fortunately, we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeves for making this process as painless as possible:
- Scoop the seeds. First, use a strong metal spoon to scoop as many of the seeds out of the pumpkin as you can. Be sure not to let the pulp dry before cleaning the seeds.
- Soak the seeds. Place the mass of seeds and pulp in a large bowl. Run water over them and use your hands to swish the seeds around, removing any noticeable bits of pumpkin. The flesh will separately more easily from the seeds this way. Drain off excess water.
- Rinse the seeds. Place the clean seeds in a colander and rinse until any remaining flesh is gone.
- Optional: Boil the seeds. Simmer the clean seeds in salty water for 10 minutes. (See below for why you should do this).
- Dry the seeds. Drain the boiled/cleaned seeds in a colander and use a towel to dry the seeds as thoroughly as possible to ensure they get nice and crispy when baked.
Once your seeds are prepped and ready to go, it’s time to roast! You’ll find ingredient measurements below, but here are the basic steps:
- Toss the clean, dry seeds in butter (or oil) and seasonings.
- Arrange the sheets on a baking sheet.
- Bake until golden brown.
Tips:
- For less mess, line the baking sheet with parchment paper.