Yummy Pun'kin Seeds

Have you ever eaten a home-made roasted pumpkin seed?

When I was a kid, I remember digging the goo out of the big, huge jack-o-lantern pumpkin every Halloween while my mom stood over us ordering, "Save the seeds!"  She would then clean them, pat them dry and roast them in the oven, with just a hint of salt.

And they were so good.  I mean really, eat-the-entire-bowl good.

We aren't big pumpkin carvers here at our house (but we're working on it) so I never really have had the opportunity to roast seeds directly from a pumpkin.  And while I have tried the prepacked and bulk roasted seeds in the past - they just don't have that fresh-from-the-oven taste like my mom's did. 

So the other day, I bought bulk raw, untouched pumpkin seeds - green as can be (and surprisingly inexpensive, by the way).  My kids and I then proceeded to ceremoniously prepare and roast them.  

And guess what?  They tasted exactly the same as I remember - they were so good.  Crunchy, roasty and spicy with just a hint of sweet.  We (including my husband) ate that entire bowl in just one day.  

But the best thing?  Pumpkin seeds are healthy.  

Just one ounce provides a good source of iron and protein; as well as a good amount of your daily need for magnesium (essential for heart, bone and teeth health) and zinc (essential for growth in children) - not to mention they contain heart-healthy fats.   

Inexpensive, easy to make and a good-for-you snack.  What more do you want? And did I mention my kids loved them?

Check out the recipe below for simple, roasted seeds.  No need to boil or precook them; and no need for butter or other unnecessary ingredients.  

And if you missed out on saving your jack-o-lantern seeds, try bulk raw seeds.  They are available year-round and are super cheap (I bought more than half a pound for just $1.50).

Crunchy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds (just like Mom's)

Ingredients:

- Raw pumpkin seeds

- Olive oil spray

- Salt

Prep:

1. If you're carving a pumpkin, separate the seeds from the stringy goo by rinsing in a colander.  Don't worry if there are some pieces left; they'll cook up tasty, too.  Just get the big chunky stuff off.  Pat the seeds dry.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

3. Spread pumpkin seeds in a single layer on the sheet.  Spray a little olive oil spray over them.  Sprinkle with a pinch of salt. 

4. Bake at 400 degrees until seeds begin to brown and pop (about 10 to 15 minutes - keep your eye on them).

5. Let cool completely. Savor and enjoy.

Optional seasonings: 

You can also dress up your seeds with spicy, savory or sweet spices.  Try a cinnamon/nutmeg/ginger combo for sweet.  Or cayenne, chili powder and garlic for spicy.  Italian seasoning with garlic and a bit of Parmesan make a good savory option.  Experiment and find your favorite.

Starbucks Surprise

Yes, it's true. 

I go to Starbucks.  And not for the plain coffee - really for the yummy drinks. And I have been for years.

I don't go all the time - not every day, not even once a week.   I go when the mood strikes, which is often enough to where my three-year-old knows the logo by sight and the name of my favorite drink. 

And although I have been a long-time patron, I have never really tried any of their food.  The sweet stuff doesn't interest me, because for me, the drink itself is the treat.

But all that changed the other day.  

While I was ordering my tall, nonfat, Chai tea latte, my stomach rumbled hunger, so I scoped out the offerings and decided to try one of their new Artisan Snack Plates - the Chicken on Flatbread with Hummus to be exact; and my, was it good.  White meat grilled chicken strips stuffed inside a mini flat bread, with a small container of hummus and veggies (grape tomatoes and carrot/cucumber sticks) for dipping.  

The front of the container said, "Nutritious Snacking Meets Greek Get-Away."  

Yep, I would have to agree.

The amount is just enough to be a hearty snack or tide you over until dinner (which it did for me).  And at 250 calories, 13% fat (most of which were "good" fats), a healthy amount of fiber (enough to meet almost a quarter of your daily needs) and a good dose of protein, you can actually feel good about eating it.  Plus, you'll be meeting 180% of your vitamin A needs and 10% of your vitamin C needs for the day.  

All for $4.95.

Not bad for a coffee shop on-the-go snack.

And, by the way, you don't even have to buy a coffee.  Choose their bottled water, brewed (unsweetened) tea or milk and you're set for an even more nutritious snack.

They do have other snack plate offerings (a Fruit, Nut and Cheese and  Protein one with a boiled egg) which might not be quite as healthy as the hummus choice - but still, they provide more nutrition than the empty calories of the coffee cakes, brownies or other sweet treats.   

Check it out and let me know what you think.