Not sure exactly what to do with that pumpkin seed stringy, gooky, orange mess once you’ve carved your Jack-O-Latern? Sift through those seeds and Cook the Gook, we say! These Random pumpkin seed Recipes are proven to please even the pickest of goulish eaters and they are a healthy treat too.

DRUNKiN PUNKiN SEEDS

 NOT your momma’s punkin’ seeds! Sweet, salty & delicious.

Ingredients

  •  1 teaspoon of garlic powder
  •  2 tablespoons bacon drippings
  •  1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons sea or table salt, or more to taste

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
  • Mix pumpkin seeds, whiskey/bourbon, bacon drippings, brown sugar, and salt together in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook until the seeds begin to turn gray in the middle, 15 to 20 minutes; drain.
  • Spread cleaned and drained seeds onto baking sheet in a single layer; season with salt.
  • Roast pumpkin seeds in preheated oven until crisp, stir after 30 mins until golden brown, 1 hour.
  • Cool  for 10-15 minutes and enjoy!
  • Tips & Alternatives:
    •  Homemade bacon bits can be added or spice it up and a light sprinkle of cayenne or hot pepper.
    •  Can’t fathom the idea of wasting a drop of whiskey? Drain the liquid mixture into a small sauce pan, simmer and reduce to about half. When the pumpkin seeds have roasted about 1/4 of the way, drizzle the sauce over them.

 

Pepita (from Mexican Spanish: pepita de calabaza, “little seed of squash”)

HALLOWeeN PaRTY MiX

  • A colorful MIX with lots of options to trick & treat!

Ingredients

  •  3 tablespoons butter or margarine
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
  • cups crisp cereal squares (such as Rice Chex®, any flavor)
  • 1-2 cups roasted pumpkin seeds(roasted see recipe below for roasting tips)
  • 1 cup pretzel sticks
  • 1 cup goldfish crackers
  •  1 package (10 ounces) M&M’s(Halloween colored)
  •  1 package (18-1/2 ounces) Candy Corn

 Directions

  • Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
  • Place butter in a 9×13-inch baking dish; melt in oven while it preheats.
  • Stir Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and seasoned salt into melted butter. Gradually stir rice cereal squares, pumpkin seeds, pretzel sticks, and goldfish crackers into butter mixture until evenly coated.
  • Bake, stirring every 15 minutes, until crisp & fragrant, about 1 hour.
  • Transfer party mix to paper towel-lined plates to cool.
  • Once cool, add M&M’s & Candy Corn, mix and enjoy! Or store in airtight containers and serve later.
  • Tips & Alternatives:
    • For a different twist — swap out the Garlic & Worchestershire sauce and use 1 package of dry Ranch dressing mix instead.
    • For a nuttier mix – add peanut M&Ms or salted peanuts.

 

ROASTED PUMPKiN SEEDS

  • Easy and tasty!

 Ingredients

  •  3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
  •  1 1/2 cups raw whole pumpkin seeds, cleaned
  •  Salt to taste

 Directions

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
  • Toss pumpkin seeds in a bowl with the melted butter and salt.
  • Spread the pumpkin seeds in a single layer on a baking or cookie sheet.
  • Bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown; stir occasionally.
  • Transfer roasted seeds to paper towel-lined plates to cool. Cool for 10-15 mins and serve. YUM!
  • Tips & Alternatives:
    • Best to use a baking or cooking sheet with a lip around the edges, so you don’t loose any seeds.
    • Use Old Bay Seasoning instead of salt to add a little LOCAL zest!

 

WHAT’S EVEN BETTER?

There are many healthy benefits to eating pumpkin seeds – fatty acid, Zinc, Phytosterols – SO EAT UP!

Prostate Health*Pumpkin seeds’ essential fatty acid content makes them a valued addition to the diet of men wanting to reduce their risk of prostate cancer

Bone Health* Pumpkin seeds provide 17 % of the daily value for zinc in 1/4 cup. Zinc is an essential element in bone formation and is found to be deficient in many elderly bone-fracture

Cholesterol Lowering*Phytosterols present in pumpkin seeds have dramatic cholesterol-lowering properties, according to the World’sHealthiestFoods.com.

*Reference: Read more: www.livestrong.com

MONSTOROUSLY

SPOOK-TACULAR

ENTER TO WIN!

Enter your pumpkin in The Great North Delaware Pumpkin Contest. NorthDelaWHEREHappening.com Fans VOTE and the Winner receives a $50 Gift Certificate to the Columbus Inn in Wilmington. Click here to learn more!