When it comes to autumn festivities, pumpkins are a must-have. Not only do they make eye-catching decorations, but they also provide nutritious seeds that can be enjoyed by all as a delicious snack. If you’re looking to extract these little gems from your pumpkin, this article outlines three methods to help you easily shell pumpkin seeds and enjoy their crunchy goodness.

1. Boiling Method

One of the most common ways to remove the shells from pumpkin seeds is by boiling them. Follow these simple steps:

– Start by thoroughly rinsing the pumpkin seeds to remove any remaining pumpkin flesh.

– In a large pot, mix water (approx 2 cups per half cup of seeds) and a teaspoon of salt.

– Add the rinsed pumpkin seeds into the pot and bring the water to boil.

– Allow the seeds to simmer for about 20 minutes.

– Drain the seeds using a colander and let them cool on a paper towel.- Once cooled, use your fingers or a small utensil like a paring knife to crack open the softened shells and carefully remove the seed.

2. Crushing Method

The crushing method is another option for shelling pumpkin seeds without boiling them. Here’s how:

– Begin by cleaning the pumpkin seeds and removing any leftover pulp.

– Place a small amount of seeds between two layers of a clean kitchen towel or parchment paper.

– Using a rolling pin or heavy object, gently roll over or press on the seeds until you hear the shells cracking. Be careful not to crush the inner kernel in the process.

– After all shells are cracked, separate the shell fragments and seed kernels by hand.

3. Roasting Method

If you prefer skipping manual shelling methods altogether, roasting pumpkin seeds in their shells is an alternative way of enjoying them.

– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

– Rinse and clean the pumpkin seeds, removing any attached pumpkin remains.

– Pat the seeds dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

– In a mixing bowl, combine the seeds, a tablespoon of oil (such as olive, vegetable, or coconut), and your preferred seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.).

– Spread the prepared seeds out evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

– Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. The shells will slightly crack open and become crispy.

– Let the roasted pumpkin seeds cool before snacking on them. Their shells will be easier to chew and digest due to roasting.

With these three methods for shelling pumpkin seeds in hand, you can now enjoy this delightful and nutritious snack in various ways. So the next time you carve a pumpkin or cook pumpkin dishes, don’t toss away those valuable seeds!