Make Our Simple Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

posted in: Simple Food | 0

Inside: Just in time for fall, our simple spicy pumpkin seeds are a quick, easy, and healthy snack to whip up for any occasion, whether for the big game or your next party. Also great for packing in lunches or toting to a casual gathering. Try the recipe before the leaves start turning!

Simple spicy pumpkin seeds.
Roasted spicy pumpkin seeds even look like like fall with lovely shades of yellow, orange, brown, and green. Photo by Mike Moore.

Years ago when I was looking for a good source of magnesium to help replenish my mineral levels, pumpkin seeds (aka pepitas) were on my list. At the time I couldn’t  find them in my small town grocery store, but these little seeds have really come on the scene recently, and with good reason. The humble little pepita is a powerhouse of nutritional value, offering a wide variety of nutrients like magnesium, copper, manganese, protein, omega 3s, and zinc. Pumpkin seeds are an important natural food for men’s health due to the high zinc content, and the phytoestrogens in the seeds help reduce menopausal symptoms in women. They can help regulate insulin, and as a rich source of tryptophan, they may improve sleep. And pumpkin seed oil has anti-inflammatory properties.

But did I mention they taste great, too?

Win. Win. Win.

Where to Find Pumpkin Seeds

First things first, it’s important to start with the right seed. While you can find interesting recipes for whole roasted pumpkin seeds, what I’m talking about here are the hulled, raw pepitas which are a lovely shade of green. In my Kroger store I found them on a display shelf between the produce department and the organic/health food and products section with other nuts and seeds. In the upscale suburban grocery store near where Hubs works, he found them in the health food aisle among the bulk food items. If you’re looking for an online source for pepitas, you can find various brands here on Amazon. I would strongly suggest not buying the type you need to hull to get the tiny green seeds. Way more work than you want. And the price for pepitas is pretty inexpensive for what you’re getting, so definitely do yourself a favor and buy the hulled, raw pumpkin seeds.

The Recipe

Spiced pepitas.
Very snackable. Picture by Mike Moore.

So it’s not complicated at all, and I’d be surprised if you didn’t already have the spices on hand to make these little gems. The choice of oil is up to you, but I’ve been using a lot of flavorless coconut oil (MCT oil) because it’s easier on my digestive system. After that the seeds spend a short stint in the oven to get all toasty warm and flavorful.

Yum. Are you ready?

Simple Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
Author: 
Recipe type: snack
Cuisine: American
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4 servings
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup of hulled, raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
  • 1 teaspoon of chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon of cayenne
  • 1 teaspoon of sea salt
  • 4 teaspoons of sweetener (or sugar if no dietary restrictions)
  • 4 teaspoons of coconut oil (liquid, not solid)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a bowl mix seeds, oil, and spices well and spread evenly on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
  3. Bake for 10 minutes and let seeds cool before serving.
  4. Enjoy!
Notes: Fill a mason jar with our simple spicy pumpkin seeds, add a bow, and share a little autumn goodness with someone.

Try making a batch to celebrate the season!

Pepitas snack.
Fall in a bowl. Reach in and take a handful!

 

Have you ever eaten pepitas? Tell us about it in the comments.

Related posts:

My Top Ten Must-do Fall Activities

How to Soak Nuts

Spiced Nuts

Crunchy Green Bean Snack

 

Posts from a year ago on the blog:

Making Folk Art Flowers

Starting the Long and Sentimental Project