Halloween is almost upon us.  I'm staring at my pumpkin - trying to figure out what to carve it into, and whether I'll just salt and broil the seeds again this year on a layer of aluminum or not...not. That's my decision. It just seems too boring this year. Call it a good weather high - I'm in the mood for this holiday and I want to experience something new. Martha Stewart suddenly popped in my head.  What would Martha do?  She makes lovely things out of the pumpkin meat, but what about the seeds?

The search was on for what to do...although even Martha seemed stumped on this one.  I did find several people thankfully on the internet in discussion groups who boil their seeds to infuse the salt within the shell - a bit gooey, reminding me of one roadside experience with boiled peanuts in Alabama - something I would rather forget.  Another person added Worcestershire sauce and cayenne pepper before roasting them, but I'm not a 'hots' type of person.  A friend of mine washed hers, placed them on a cookie sheet with oil and salt on low heat and baked them until they rounded and browned.  Even more boring. 

I finally combined two recipes for roasting that included onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg mixed together and sprinkled over the seeds, baked at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. No fatty butter or oil, and suprisingly - they were still scrumptious.  When in doubt, try something new I always say.  I also read that using winter squash or even watermelon seeds in the summertime work just as well with these spices.  So, this is not just a 'seasonal' idea after all. Storing these in an airtight container for a week to enjoy all week.

 Lil' ditty:

One cup of pumpkin seeds = 285 calories, 12 grams of fat (only 2 gms saturated), 12 gms of sodium (this is before you salt them of course), packing in 34 grams of carbs, and 12 grams of protein.  What it doesn't have?  CHOLESTEROL.  Yeah.  Thanks Nutritiondata.com 

According to Learninginfo.com, pumpkin seeds are actually one of nature's "almost perfect" foods.  Carbs+amino acids+unsaturated fats+vitamins C, D, E & K +calcium, potassium, niacin and phosphorus.  Amazing.  They have been known to treat bladder ailments, eliminate parasites from the intestines, help combat prostate cancer, prevent hardening of the arteries, as well as treat depression.  Sure, one handful of the slimy stuff should suffice in it's raw form.  But what happens when you roast em?  How much do they lose?  From Nutrition.about.com I found the answer: "Eating nuts and seeds is a delicious way to get some of your daily protein and healthy fats. Roasting nuts and seeds does reduce the antioxidant levels and healthy fats just slightly, but it doesn't turn nuts and seeds into unhealthy foods. For example, almonds will keep your cholesterol levels healthy whether you choose raw almonds or roasted almonds." 

Phew!  Just have to watch the sodium level then - watch those labels of your 'add-on's' people.

Gotta' get the pumpkin carving finished.  Sorry, I forgot about you, withering and rotting as I enjoy your seeds.

Happy Halloween everyone.  Just a reminder to keep nutrition in the back of your mind at all times and not on the back burner.  Eat some pumpkin seeds before you reach for the candy in your child's bag when they've fallen asleep. 

Watch for my review of 'Anello's' - coming soon!