Cooking pumpkin seeds is one of the easiest things to do, but it can be intimidating to those who have not tried it before. This is a simple and delicious way to toast pumpkin seeds in your oven.

If you would also like to learn how to preserve pumpkin seeds for planting, this activity and How to Prepare Pumpkin Seeds for Planting can be done at the same time.

Items Needed :

Pumpkin seeds
Salt
Cooking spray (no-stick)
Cookie Sheet
Aluminum Foil
Large Mixing Bowl
Straining Bowl
*Optional: Other seasonings (such as garlic or seasoned salt if desired)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees fahrenheit.

2. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Spray the foil very lightly with cooking spray to keep pumpkin seeds from sticking during cooking.

3. Collect seeds in a large mixing bowl while carving your pumpkin. When the bowl is halfway full go to step 2.

4. Clean the seeds. Fill the bowl of pumpkin seeds with water until 3/4 full. Use clean hands to scrub the seeds in the bowl of water. Scrub them throughly, allowing them to pass between your fingers and scrubbing with your fingertips. This is to remove any pumpkin residue on the outside of the seeds.

5. Rinse the seeds. Pour the bowl of cleaned pumpkin seeds into a strainer bowl or collander. Run water heavily through the seeds in the strainer, shaking and shuffling the seeds around in the strainer to thoroughly rinse away any pumpkin debris or residue. Do this for several minutes, until they are well cleaned.

6. Prepare the seeds for toasting/baking. While the seeds are still slightly wet from being rinsed, pour the pumpkin seeds into the aluminum foil lined cookie sheet. Only place enough seeds onto the sheet as can be arranged in a single layer. Avoid stacking seeds on top of one another. Spread the seeds out over the entire surface of the cookie sheet.

7. Season the seeds. Sprinkle salt to your desired tast onto the still moist seeds. (Other spices can also be added in this step, such as garlic and seasoned salts.

8. Bake the seeds at 250 degrees fahrenheit for between 50 minutes and one hour. Remove the sheet from the oven every 15 minutes to turn and flip the seeds with a spatula. Turning the seeds will help to accomplish even baking on both sides of the seeds. Cook for at least 50 minutes this way. When the pumpkin seeds are done cooking they should be lightly browned.

9. Cool and eat. Allow the seeds to cool for ten minutes or so, and enjoy a flavorful and delicious addition to your Halloween fun.

Notes: Some people like to add olive oil, butter, or other greasy substances to pumpkin seeds before or during cooking. We advise against any greasy substances except for a very light mist of cooking spray that is applied before cooking to the aluminum foil. Oils and greases are difficult to eliminate during this cooking time and can leave undesirable residue and wetness on the seeds even after they are done cooking.

We hope you will enjoy these toasted pumpkin seeds and make them a tradition of fun with your family ever year.

More Halloween Fun:

How to Prepare Pumpkin Seeds for Planting
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