Roasted Pumpkin Seed

Roasted pumpkin seed, a popular Halloween treat, is made by roasting the seeds extracted from pumpkin by baking them at a temperature of around 325 degrees Fahrenheit. This delicious snack loaded with substantial health benefits often comes flavored with spices.

Roasting Pumpkin Seed

Roasted pumpkin seeds tend to offer their natural flavor.

To begin with, the seeds are first, removed from the inner cavity of the pumpkin. All the extra pulp that covers them is also removed, generally with the help of a paper towel. Next, the seeds are spread on a paper bag and allowed  to dry overnight.

The seeds are then roasted, and most often at a low temperature for a very short interval of time, so as to preserve the healthy oil that they contain.

The dried pumpkin seeds can be sweetened by coating them with sugar, cinnamon and butter before roasting them.

Storing Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

The seeds must be stored in air-tight jars so that their flavor and freshness remain intact.

Serving Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Roasted pumpkin seed must be cooled before being eaten. There are several ways in which the roasted pumpkin seeds can be made a part of the daily diet and served in different ways, as follows -

• Sautéed vegetables, which is already a healthy dish, can be made healthier with an additional sprinkling of some roasted pumpkin seeds on top.

• The roasted seeds of pumpkin can also be added to mixed green salads, to enhance their taste as well as nutrition.

• Roasted pumpkin seed can be grounded along with fresh cilantro leaves, garlic and parsley and, mixed with olive oil and lemon juice to make for a nutritious salad dressing.

• Roasted seeds of pumpkin can be chopped and added to any hot or cold cereal.

• When preparing burgers, be it a vegetable burger of a beef or turkey burger, a handful of roasted pumpkin seeds can always be added for an enhanced flavor.

Other Uses of Roasting Pumpkin Seeds

Roasted pumpkin seed is used to obtain pumpkin seed oil which is thick and green-red in color. The oil has a robust flavor because of which it is combined with other oils before it is used in cooking or added to salads as dressing. It has been long known to be a remedy for treating prostate problems. Experts say that it combats benign prostatic hyperplasia. It also allows you to maintain health nerves, tissues and blood vessels as it consists of essential fatty acids. 

Heath Benefits of Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

These seeds are also known to lower the levels of cholesterol. They are good sources of manganese, phytosterols, magnesium and phosphorus. They also contain unsaturated as well as polyunsaturated fats, which are the most important out of all the other vegetable fats. Roasted pumpkin seed is a rich source of protein, vitamins and zinc too.