Every year during pumpkin season, I look forward to enjoying pumpkin seeds! I just finished roasting mine and am happily munching on them while typing away.
If you’ve been carving pumpkins, I bet you have some seeds, too! What do you do with them? It seems such a waste to throw them away since they’re so tasty.
I love fermenting them a bit; it softens the shells and really enhances the flavour, making them super enjoyable to eat without the hassle of peeling. What’s your favourite way to use pumpkin seeds?
I would love to share mine.
Dry-salted fermented & Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh pumpkin seeds (with shells)
1–2 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste)
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
Instructions:
Remove as much pumpkin flesh as possible from the seeds. There’s no need to wash them, as the pumpkin adds a nice flavour.
Sprinkle the salt over the seeds, tossing to coat them evenly. Make sure the salt is spread across all the seeds.
Place the salted seeds in a bowl or container, cover them loosely with a lid or cloth, and let them sit at room temperature for 12–24 hours.
This dry-salt fermentation will allow natural bacteria to break down the seeds slightly.
When ready to roast, preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
Toss with olive oil and spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Bake for 30–40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, until golden and crisp.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 weeks. They should stay crisp as long as they’re kept dry. They can be kept for 2 months in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer.
These are crunchy and tasty, making you want to grab more.
And it is a very nutritious way to boost your overall health!
I like that it is very beneficial to health and contains magnesium, zinc, and iron, which support heart health, bone strength, and immune function. It also contains healthy fats, antioxidants, and fibre, which can reduce inflammation, improve cholesterol levels, and promote digestion.
Best of all, they contain tryptophan, which our body converts to a "feel-good" or relaxing hormone that can help boost your mood and improve your sleep.
So why not join me in munching on these delicious pumpkin seeds? They’re not only tasty but also make you happy too!
Mariah 💗🎃
