Tag Archive: Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix

pumpkin-seed-trail-mix-4

I’m constantly eating during the day. I can never understand those people who “forget” to have a meal or go 6-7 hours without eating; the roaring of my stomach would not let me or anyone else in the room forget to eat. It just wouldn’t happen.

On Monday I have a class for 5 straight hours in the afternoon. Considering I can’t go 2 hours without needing to eat something, that alarmed me at first. I knew I’d need snacks—lots and lots of snacks—to keep focus. Something portable and nutritious, just like trail mix.

pumpkin-seed-trail-mix

Trail mix can really be anything. When I was thinking of what to make mine like, I thought about the pumpkin seeds I had in the pantry and all the things I’d put in pumpkin bread: walnuts, ginger, raisins, chocolate if I felt like it. So why not make a pumpkin bread trail mix? Only without the bread. Because bread doesn’t make great trail mix.

Besides being delicious, this trail mix has a lot to offer. Iron-deficiency is commonly associated with vegetarianism because of the lack of red meat. But that doesn’t have to be the case with a good diet. Pumpkin seeds and raisins are both high in iron*. Walnuts are a great source of omega-3s as everyone knows by now. And ginger is a cold-fighting ingredient(not to mention tastes great when it’s candied, just like anything else).

Pumpkin Seed Trail Mix

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 0 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup shelled pumpkin seeds
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup diced candied ginger
  • 1/4 cup dark chocolate, white chocolate, or cinnamon chips

Method:

  1. Toss all of the ingredients together and enjoy.

pumpkin-seed-trail-mix-5

*I got all of those facts about iron off of Wikipedia, just like a good student would.

Salt And Pepper Pumpkin Seeds

salt-and-pepper-pumpkin-seeds

It’s impossible for me to say “salt and pepper” without finishing it up with an “Ah, push it. Push it good.” Anyone else? No? Just me? Never mind then.

These really are good. Maybe not push-it-good, but good nonetheless.

salt-and-pepper-pumpkin-seeds-bowl

I’ve roasted a few pumpkins so far this season and every time kept the seeds. I really just want to throw them away because they feel like a hassle but why do that when you can make something delicious with them?

Salt And Pepper Pumpkin Seeds

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

  • Seeds from 1 large pumpkin
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed black pepper

salt-and-pepper-pumpkin-seeds-overhead

Method:

  1. Clean and rinse the pumpkin seeds to remain any lingering pumpkin on them.
  2. Lay the seeds out and dry them on a paper towel
  3. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees
  4. Toss the seeds with the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  5. Lay the seeds out in a single layer on a baking pan
  6. Roast until the seeds are dry and crispy, about 50 minutes depending on how wet your seeds are.
  7. Remove from the oven and let cool before touching.

salt-and-pepper-pumpkin-seeds-close-up

These are addictive on their own, but even better on a salad or mixed with popcorn for a savory snack.