Pumpkin Seeds

[allie]

My kids love the roasted pumpkin seeds we get at the store. I've tried roasting them myself for the past two years and something just isn't right. I clean them and then toss with oil and salt, then roast in a 350 oven until they're just starting to brown, stirring occasionally.

Is there a better way?

I've seen recipes of late that call for pumpkin seeds, how do you shell them without using your teeth?

[Breton Beats]

First I only use the pumpkin seeds from sugar pumpkins (the small ones for baking). Most pumpkins for jack o lanterns are too big, more like squash, and their seed aren't that good.

I soak them in water and blast them with a nozzle to loosen the "guts"
Then I scoop them out as they float to the top.

I toss the damp seeds with kosher salt and roast at about 375 untl done, crunchy and not soft in the middle.

I don't shell them, I eat them as is.

Pumpkin seeds in recipes are generaly pepitas which is the shelled version of pumpkin seeds. My understanding is this is done on a commercial level. They are found in Mexican and Latino stores and used in S. American cooking (I think in moles). A freind of mine from Mexico tells me all the time that the two products are not the same.

[jigz369]

I would suggest trying a brine and soaking the seeds overnight before baking. I have had great success this way, and went so far as to brine- bake- rebrine and rebake and the seeds were amazing, nice and crispy and salted perfectly.
Just my opinion though....

[allie]

Thanks for your help!! The seeds I have are from the two jack-o-lanterns we carved. Maybe that's why I've never been satisfied with the results? My son did get a pie pumpkin at school yesterday and I intend to make a pumpkin pie out of it so I'll use the seeds and see how it goes. I'm sure I'll be buying more of the small ones since I love making pumpkin pies. lol

Thanks again!

[chrose]

Originally Posted by Breton Beats

I don't shell them, I eat them as is.

Good! I thought I was the only one!

[laxflier]

That sounds great.... I also clean them vigorously and dry them prior to roasting....Eat the whole thing!!!!

[allie]

When you guys eat them, are they easy to chew? When I've made them, it's about like eating a peanut shell and I don't care for that texture. Just wondering if I'm missing out on a great secret in preparing and eating here. lol