I know what you do after you carve your pumpkin.

Don’t do it.

Seriously, every time I glance at this picture I go into the kitchen to grab another handful of these delightful little snacks. This bowl is filled with a combo of the simply garlic and the sweet & spicy pumpkin seed recipes below. I’ve never really been a fan of the concept of salad-bowl-ing anything other than leafy green veggies as a precursor to dinner, but for some reason this just seemed right.

Keep the seeds, don’t waste them! Here’s a quick lil’ recipe for you folks today. With the season comes some scrumptious food opportunities. Once you carve your pumpkin, it’s practically a free snack! Not to mention these are actually healthy (well, maybe…. minus the sugar haha), and they’re vegan!!

Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
takes 40 minutes

pumpkin seeds from one pumpkin
salt
cinnamon powder
chili powder
red cayenne pepper
sugar

Simply Garlic Pumpkin Seeds
takes 40 minutes

pumpkin seeds from one pumpkin
salt
garlic powder
ground black pepper

Boil the seeds in salt water for about ten minutes to give them a bit of extra flavor (I usually do 1-2 teaspoons per pumpkin). Drain the water and remove the seeds. Spread a piece of foil over a cookie sheet. In a bowl, toss the seeds in the flavoring mixture, 1-2 teaspoons of each flavor depending on how flavorful you’d like your seeds. Spread the seeds evenly over the foil on the pan and bake for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Ta da!

What are you waiting for?! Go carve a pumpkin, Halloween is almost here! :]