Pepitas are the raw and hulled seeds of pumpkin. They are green, oval and flat. They are good as a snack just like they are, BUT let’s make them addictive! Here is a recipe/technique for toasted and spiced seeds. You could use the same spices for raw sunflower seeds or peanuts or almonds.
Spiced Seeds and Nuts
2 C Raw Seeds or Nuts
1/4-1/2 tsp or more of each according to your taste:
cayenne powder
cumin
curry powder*
garlic powder
sea salt
cracked black pepper
2 T peanut oil
Place the spices in a hot and heavy bottomed skillet and toast, stirring constantly. When fragrant, add oil and stir. Add seeds or nuts and toast on medium to low medium until seeds/nuts are toasted and oil is absorbed, stirring constantly. (the seed/nut will look shiny but no oil will remain in the pan) Cook in 1 C batches if you have a small skillet. After cooking, I let the seeds cool somewhat on a drying rack and then tossed the seeds and tasted and added more salt and tossed again. They are really good today.
*I made my own curry powder and you can too with some spices and herbs and an old Mr Coffee grinder! Here is just one Curry Powder. There are many more out there-or you could just buy some already mixed curry powder.
2 Comments
I make my own curries, too. Soooo much tastier.
Scotia, your top photo is especially gorgeous.
Thank you, my dear. I love making my own spice and herb combinations. They taste so much better than something from the store, unless you have a wonderful spice/herb bar in your town like I do. This woman is a wonder and so knowledgeable about herbs and spices. She actually talked me out of buying expensive ground nutmeg and talked me into buying nutmeg seeds for 20 cents each. I use my microplane to grate the nutmeg when I need it. Did you know that grated nutmeg goes really nicely in scrambled eggs?
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