When you are carving the holiday pumpkin, it's a good time to think about how to make the most of the event by cooking the pumpkin seeds, too. Pumpkin seeds can be cooked in the oven, fried in a skillet, or roasted in the microwave.

Anyone who has ever carved a pumpkin for Halloween knows the inside of a pumpkin can be a stringy mess. Many people see that mess as an integral part of the yearly tradition of cooking and eating pumpkin seeds. Roasted pumpkin seeds can be cooked in a variety of flavors including a traditional salty, sweet and spicy, curried and more.http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/001524.html

Pumpkin seeds can be a tasty addition to seasonal fun, but they are also a source of vitamins, minerals, and protein.http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=82 If you want more from your pumpkin carving and would like to try cooking pumpkin seeds at home, the steps and videos below will make learning easy.

Pumpkin seeds can be cooked in the oven, on the stove top in a skillet, or in the microwave. When roasting in the oven, the seeds cook for about 30 minutes. Flavorings such as garlic, sugar, or cinnamon can be added. Roasted seeds can be kept for about a week, sealed in an airtight container.

You can't quite cook the seeds straight out of the pumpkin, but it's almost that easy. If you'd prefer not to lose the pumpkin flesh flavor, use a damp kitchen towel to wipe off the seeds rather than rinsing them. If rinsing, pat dry with a kitchen towel.http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/455615

• OPTIONAL: For a stronger salty flavor, boil seeds in salted water. Let the seeds simmer for 10 minutes, before draining and drying.http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/001438toasted_pumpkin_seeds.php

• NOTE: If you want to eat seeds with the shells on, use sugar pumpkins instead of the larger carving pumpkins. If your seeds are from a carving pumpkin, you may have to remove the outer hull before eating.http://www.elise.com/recipes/archives/001438toasted_pumpkin_seeds.php

1. If you'd like, add other flavors to the seeds, as well as salt. You might consider baking your seeds with garlic salt and Worcestershire sauce.http://www.recipezaar.com/28408
2. A mixture of sweet and spicy flavors is also an option. A mix of sugar, cumin, ginger, and cayenne pepper can give your pumpkin seeds a unique and tangy flavor.http://www.recipezaar.com/45108 Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and hot pepper sauce can have a similar effect.http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Sweet-and-Spicy-Pumpkin-Seeds/Detail.aspx
3. When cooking pumpkin seeds, feel free to choose any flavors you like and turn your seed roasting tradition into a creative one. Other flavor possibilities include:
   • Curry powder
   • Cinnamon
   • Maple Syrup
   • Honey
   • Nutmeg
   • Tabasco Sauce

Roasted pumpkin seeds can be added to a pumpkin bread or sprinkled on a salad.To make the classic oven roasted pumpkin seeds follow these directions:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Toss seeds in a bowl with one to two tablespoons of melted butter or olive oil.
   • You can use margarine instead of butter, or substitute another type of oil for the olive oil.
   • For a lower-fat version, skip the oil and butter and use cooking spray on your baking pan.http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/hildas-roasted-pumpkin-seeds-recipe/index.html
3. Place in a single layer in an oven-safe dish or on a baking sheet.
4. Sprinkle with salt.
5. Bake for 30 - 40 minutes, or until they start to brown, stirring every 10 minutes.

You can also roast your seeds in a frying pan. Just be careful to stir and/or shake the seeds as they're cooking in the skillet, so they don't burn.

1. Heat one to two tablespoons cooking oil or butter in your skillet, on medium heat.
2. When the oil is hot, add your cleaned seeds.
3. Stir and flip, as they cook, for about five minutes.
4. When the seeds are nicely browned and toasted, remove from the skillet.
5. Place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
6. Season as you like
7. Let them cool, then enjoy!

To cook pumpkin seeds in the microwave:

1. Melt two tablespoons of butter (or margarine) in a microwave-safe dish (about 30 seconds).
2. Place your prepared cup and a half of the seeds in the dish, making sure they're in a single layer.
3. Sprinkle with salt, or any other seasonings you'd like.
4. Set your microwave for eight minutes.
5. After two minutes, check and stir.
6. Start the microwave again, and check after another two minutes.
7. After the six minute mark is passed, continue checking and stirring at one-minute intervals, or until the cooked seeds have a golden color.

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