Hatrack River Forum: Punkin Seeds

This is topic Punkin Seeds in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :

After a fun-filled evening of carving jack-o-lanterns, I find myself in possession of hundredsof seeds. I remember someone at church making really good roasted pumpkin seeds, but I don't remember how she did it. Has anyone ever made pumpkin seeds, and if so, care to share your favorite method?

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

I know! I know!

Rinse the seeds well. Get the goop off. Now soak in salt water brine for about 10 minutes. Drain. Pour oil in (I use grapeseed oil; nothing too strong tasting like peanut or olive, and make sure it doesn't scorch really easily.) Toss. Salt or season as desired. Place on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F, turning once or twice in the process and checking frequently, until just starting to turn golden. Remove from oven-- don't overcook! They'll crisp up while cooling.

Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :

My favorite method is to chuck the pumpkin seeds into the backyard, go to Walgreens, and pick up a bag of pumpkin seeds. I find it the easiest way.

Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :

[Razz]

@ Icky.

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

Those do not taste nearly the same.

Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :

And they don't count as part of October's homework projects, either . . . *sigh*

I think I'm longing for the good 'ole days of 4th grade homework. Read for 20 minutes, study math facts for five minutes, and study the monthly map test for five minutes . . .

So far this year I have remembered fun things like how to explain the difference between multiplication and exponents, help research Sir Walter Raleigh, catch bugs, collect and press leaves, punch holes in cans, and all sorts of other things . . .

Phew! 5th grade is busy!

Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :

When I was little, I LOVED home roasted pumpkin seeds for several years. Then we lost the recipe. We've tried since then, several times. Always came out awful and it was so disappointing. I figured maybe I just grew up too much to like them anymore.

But kq's recipe sounds about right. Maybe the recipe was what was missing.

Posted by divaesefani (Member # 3763) on :

I saw this recipe for Caramelized Pumpkin Seeds on the Food Network. I really want to try them!

Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :

Shan that sounds like what my fourth grade was, we did all those things (I didn't kill bugs but that was a moral thing of my own)

KQ, I've done that recipe, but I still can't make them taste like my grandma used to, I think I try bad spices, what do you use?

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

Usually just salt for me. But I've used cajun seasoning and seasoned salt both to great effect. Other spices don't seem to turn out so swell for me, either.

Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :

My mom always told me I needed to dry them after rinsing them. I'm not sure that makes any difference, but that's the way I've always done it and damn! they taste good. I have always used veggie oil and LOTS of salt (added before, during and after baking).

WARNING: Eating too many pumpkin seeds causes severe cramping. [Frown]

I relearn this lesson every year.

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

I do usually blot them after draining them. But I've never had much problem if they're a bit damp if I use a brine.

Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :

They turned out okay--I pretty much followed kq's method except I added some red pepper and garlic powder. They taste great, but they seemed a bit tougher than normal. I wonder if I cooked them right.

Posted by Samarkand (Member # 8379) on :

Mmm, pumpkin seeds, mmmm.

Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :

I realize that this may gross some people out. They not only taste good, they're good for you.

quote:
Pumpkin seeds - Traditionally, pumpkin seeds (Curcubita pepo) have been used as a herbal remedy for tapeworms and roundworms. They have been shown to immobilize and help expel intestinal worms and other parasites. In order to be effective, great amounts would have to be eaten, up to 25 ounces for adults. The seeds are usually mashed and mixed with juice. Two or three hours after consuming the pumpkin seeds, a laxative is often recommended to help clear the bowels.

[ October 25, 2005, 02:11 PM: Message edited by: Tammy ]

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

Now, why would you need a laxative after eating that many pumpkin seeds?

Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :

I wouldn't. [Wink]

Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :

maybe it's more for the tapeworms/roundworms? [Dont Know]

Posted by andi330 (Member # 8572) on :

quote:
Originally posted by breyerchic04:
Shan that sounds like what my fourth grade was, we did all those things (I didn't kill bugs but that was a moral thing of my own)

KQ, I've done that recipe, but I still can't make them taste like my grandma used to, I think I try bad spices, what do you use?

Just a quick spice hint. Date your spices when you purchase them, you shouldn't keep a spice more than six months or they begin to lose potency. (I know, I know, spices are expensive. I've got several that are due to be replaced.) [Frown]

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

I've burned mine the past two years by forgetting about them in the oven. This year I put them in the oven turned off after baking my pumpkin and promptly forgot about them again until the next day. They were perfect! Yum!

I've never used oil, though. Just tons and tons of salt and maybe some garlic powder.

Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :

quote:
Originally posted by andi330:
Just a quick spice hint. Date your spices when you purchase them, you shouldn't keep a spice more than six months or they begin to lose potency. (I know, I know, spices are expensive. I've got several that are due to be replaced.)

This is especially true if you're in a humid environment or have lots of bugs where you live. And no, I'm not referring to the state of cleanliness in your kitchen. [Smile]

Our chili powder goes bad if it's not used up in a month. Curry powder can last 2 months, same as pepper. Bugs get into things and eat them and . . . well, it's just gross. But here, bugs get into everything.

And salt clumps. [Mad]

Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :

quote:
Originally posted by ketchupqueen:
I do usually blot them after draining them.

How on earth do you manage that? I just roasted some pumpkin seeds for the first time, and when I tried to blot them they stuck to the paper towel and wouldn't come off.

Now, do you eat the entire seed or do you hull them like sunflower seeds?

I just remember never liking them when my mom made them, but I'm willing to give it another go, especially since I'd be wasting them otherwise. I don't think my mom did anything involving brine or oil, so maybe I'll like them now.

--Mel

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

quote:

when I tried to blot them they stuck to the paper towel and wouldn't come off

Towels also come in non-paper formats. [Smile]

Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :

Right, so then I would have slimy pumpkin seeds sticking to my cloth towels and picking up lint.

No thanks [Razz]

--Mel

Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :

Um, don't linen towels not leave lint?

Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :

I was able to do it with a few paper towels, I just had to pick them off afterwards. A bit laborious, but at least they were dry.

Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :

quote:
Originally posted by quidscribis:
Um, don't linen towels not leave lint?

I don't know. I don't own any linen, as it is rather expensive.

I do have sackcloth towels, which aren't as linty as terry cloth, but they are huge. I may try them next time, since paper towels didn't work that well, but it seemed a bit silly to get out a huge towel to blot half a cup of pumpkin seeds.

At least they turned out good: nice and crispy. I was able to eat about a quarter of a cup before my stomach started complaining. I'll take the rest with me to the zoo today to share with my sister-in-law.

--Mel

Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :

Bumping because this recipe was good.

--Mel

Posted by BandoCommando (Member # 7746) on :

Instead of just soaking the seeds in salt water, I find it good to boil them first for about 10 minutes, then dry them, and follow the rest of the instructions already listed...