EASY PUMPKIN SEED RECIPE FOR KIDS!

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Easy pumpkin seed recipe for kids!

Make the perfect snack for this Halloween season using the discarded pumpkin seeds after your carve your Jack-o’-Lantern.

You wil need:

• 1 cup of clean and dry pumpkin seeds;
• 2 Tbsp of olive oil or 1 stick of melted butter;
• Seasoning blends of your choice;
• Sea salt to taste.

This will soon become your favourite recipe!

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Is iT pumpkin season yet?

Yesterday I walked into my green house and noticed with a little thrill that this year my pumpkin plants are really coming along nicely. There’s loads of leaves and healthy vines, and you can already see tiny little pumpkins starting to grow.

I admit that the excitement is real. 

I love pumpkin season, and I always look forward to finding out about new recipes on how to use and consume pumpkins, for myself and my family.

WASTE NOT WANT NOT!

I hate wasting food….there: I said it! Indeed I always try to do my best to use up everything I have in my fridge or in my pantry. 

When Halloween comes around, I feel that there’s such an abundance of pumpkins, that it is important to find ways of using in order to minimise food waste.

What else can you do with a pumpkin?

Thankfully, there are tons of things to do with pumpkins, besides carving them for Halloween.

For example, you could:

• Cook a pumpkin soup;
• Roast pumpkin seeds;
• Make pumpkin bread;
• Bake pumpkin muffins;
• Dehydrate your own pumpkin leather;
• Make pumpkin seed butter;
• Whip up pumpkin pancakes;
• Bake pumpkin pies;
• Make homemade pumpkin puree;
• Etc.

For more ideas, you could visit this post from growjourney.com.

Easy pumpkin seed recipe

Although there are many ways you could use a pumpkin besides carving it, in this blog post I am focusing on how to use pumpkin seeds, and especially on how to create a lovely recipe that your kids will enjoy.

Indeed, I don’t know about your children, but mine are not particularly keen on the plain taste of pumpkin seeds. Therefore, I had to come up with a tasty recipe in order for them to eat this healthy snack.

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IMPORTANT

Seeds and nuts are a common allergen. Make sure you avoid the following recipes if you are allergic to them or if you need to follow a specific diet. Always check with your trusted health practitioner before introducing new foods into your diet.

Also, pay particular attention if any member of your family has nuts and seeds allergies.

How do you give pumpkin seeds to kids?

In my home, the little people do not like pumpkin seeds very much. They find the taste quite bland.

However, if I toast and flavour those seeds, they will eat them as an alternative healthy snack.

In this post, I’m going to give you an easy recipe to roast/toast your pumpkin seeds for a super yummy and convenient treat for everybody in your family.

are pumpkin seeds good for you?

Pumpkin seeds are indeed great snacks because they are very good for you. They’re a rich source of protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

According to www.webmd.com, pumpkin seeds:

• Have Anti-Inflammatory Effects;
• Lower Risk of Diabetes;
• Have Anti-Cancer Properties;
• Support Healthy Heart Function;
• Can promote Better sleep.

where can you buy raw pumpkin seeds?

You can buy raw seeds in any health food store or online.

However, for the recipe I’m sharing today, you will be using fresh pumpkin seeds straight out of a pumpkin. So, there is no need to buy pumpkin seeds!  

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Easy pumpkin seed recipe for kids

So, here is your easy pumpkin seed recipe for kids. 

As you can see, this recipe will be ready in just a few easy steps. Get your children to help you, and you can use this recipe as a lovely activity to do with them.

I hope you will enjoy it!

for the basic recipe, you will need:

• 1 cup of clean and dry pumpkin seeds (see tips below);
• 2 Tbsp of olive oil or 1 stick of melted butter (whichever you prefer);
• Sea salt to taste.

NOTE

If you prefer, you can easily swap the olive oil or butter for a healthier ingredient, such as avocado oil or coconut oil. They both work very well for this recipe.

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius (or 325 Fahrenheit).

Prepare a baking tray and line it with parchment paper (or cookie sheet). Set aside.

In a medium bowl, add the clean and dry pumpkin seeds. Pour over the olive oil (or melted butter). 

With the help of a wooden spoon (or with your hands), mix well until all seeds are fully covered with the oil.

Spread the seasoned seeds onto the prepared baking tray, making sure to spread them in a single layer. This is very important in order to ensure the seeds will cook evenly.

Sprinkle with some salt.

Bake for about 30 minutes and until the pumpkin seeds are golden brown and look crispy. Make sure to turn them over after about 15 minutes.

how to store TOASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

Let the pumpkin seeds cool down to room temperature before removing them from your baking tray.

Store them in an airtight container or a glass jar with a tight lid. Make sure to keep your jar in a cool and dark place, such as a kitchen cabinet or cupboard. Keep the jar away from direct sunlight and heat.

Consume within a couple of weeks.

MY BEST TIPS FOR THIS EASY PUMPKIN SEED RECIPE FOR KIDS

When preparing this recipe, it is very important to follow some simple steps.

Firstly, you will need to use clean and dry pumpkin seeds.

HOW TO PREP PUMPKIN SEEDS BEFORE ROASTING

When carving your pumpkin, make sure to get all the seeds and get rid of all the flesh and strings (pumpkin guts) attached to them.

With the help of a colander, rinse the seeds well and discard all the deformed ones. 

Get a medium bowl, place pumpkin seeds in it, and fill with cold water. Use enough water to cover all the seeds.

Place the bowl in the fridge and let the seeds soak overnight.

The following day, grab your colander again, and rinse the seeds once more. Discard the water used for soaking.

After rinsing the seeds, pat them dry with a clean kitchen cloth or paper towel.

The pumpkin seeds are now ready to be used in the recipe.

DO YOU NEED TO SOAK PUMPKIN SEEDS BEFORE ROASTING?

While it may seem as a waste of time and a lot of work, soaking pumpkin seeds before toasting them is actually an important step.

There are two main reasons why you should not skip this step:

soaking pumpkin seeds gives you crunchier seeds after roasting

Soaked seeds result in crunchy seeds after you roast them.

Indeed, soaking helps with softening the outer shell of the pumpkin seeds, making them easier to chew and more enjoyable to eat.

soaking pumpkin seeds gets rid of phytic acid

Just like nuts, pumpkin seeds contain phytic acid. This acid unfortunately can prevent the absorption of some nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium and iron. Therefore, you should always soak nuts and seeds before consuming them.

You could read this article from wellnessmama.com if you want to learn more about the importance of soaking nuts and seeds for your health.

DO YOU NEED TO BOIL PUMPKIN SEEDS BEFORE ROASTING THEM?

If you soak the seeds overnight before using them, there is no need to boil them just before roasting.

However, if you don’t have time (or simply forgot) to soak them, you can achieve the same results in terms of health benefits and crunchiness by simply boiling them just before seasoning and cooking them in the oven. 

HOW TO BOIL PUMPKIN SEEDS BEFORE ROASTING THEM

Remove all seeds from your pumpkin, and wash them thoroughly with the help of a colander. Make sure to get rid of all the insides of your pumpkin (flesh and strings), and discard the deformed seeds.

In the meantime, place a medium pot on the stove, fill it with fresh water and bring to the boil.

When the water is boiling, add a little salt and then add your washed pumpkin seeds.

Gently boil the seeds for about 10 minutes before draining them.

You can now place the boiled seeds in a bowl, and season them before roasting. 

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SEASONING IDEAS FOR ROASTED PUMKIN SEEDS

The recipe I shared above is only the basic one.

You could season your seeds using different flavours to spice things up a bit!

If you surf the web, you will find tons of pumpkin seed recipes.

Here are just some ideas, but feel free to come up with your own recipe.

ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS SEASONING IDEAS

In order to season your roasted pumpkin seeds, simply add the seasoning of your choice to the oil (or melted butter) before toasting the seeds in the oven. Make sure to cover the seeds evenly and bake them accordingly to the instructions provided above.

CINNAMON SUGAR PUMPKIN SEEDS

This is a lovely recipe for a sweet treat. I’m sure your kids will love it!

To the oil, add 1 Tbsp of brown sugar and 1 tsp of ground cinnamon. Skip the salt for this recipe.

After baking, sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon on top of the seeds and enjoy!

SWEET HONEY ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

This is a little variation from the previous recipe.

For this method, use butter instead of oil for the coating of your seeds.

In a medium bowl, add 1/2 stick of butter (or 50 grams) and 2 Tbsp of honey. Melt the 2 ingredients together, and stir them to mix completely. When the butter and honey are melted and mixed, you can add 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon and 1/2 tsp of ground clove. Stir well and use this mix to coat your seeds. Bake the pumpkin seeds according to instructions.

HOT AND SPICY ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

For something totally different, you could use hot spices to flavour your pumpkin seeds.

To the oil, add 1/4 tsp each of smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder and chili powder. If you like your food really hot, add also 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper.

Coat the pumpkin seeds and bake them as per instructions.

PARMESAN AND HERBS PUMPKIN SEEDS

This is a lovely savoury recipe that can accompany dishes such as soups and stir frys.

To the oil, add 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp of garlic powder and 1 tsp of  your favourite herb. Mix well before coating the pumpkin seeds. Bake the seeds according to the instructions provided.

For this recipe, choose the herb you prefer. You could experiment with rosemary, thyme, and oregano for example. 

EASY PUMPKIN SEED RECIPE FOR KIDS: CONCLUSIONS

I hope you will try this simple recipe to use up the seeds after you carve your pumpkin this Halloween. 

Roasting pumpkin seeds is an excellent idea to avoid wasting, and to create a healthy and tasty snack for the whole family.

Feel free to create your own seasoning and please do let me know if you come up with something your kids love. I always want to learn new recipes, and all the readers will benefit! Please, do leave a comment in the box below.

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