More commonly known as pepitas, raw pumpkin seeds are not only a delicious snack, but a nutrient-dense food and a cooking ingredient as well. Protein, good fats, vitamins, and minerals contained in these small seeds can increase the health benefits and add flavour to your dishes. Their delicious crunch and somewhat nutty flavour make them a favourite addition to a variety of foods, from baked goods to salads. Their taste is somewhat nutty and their wonderful crispy texture makes them popular with so many meals: sweet and savoury.
Pumpkin seeds are a very useful product, which can be added either to sweet dishes like yoghurt with seeds, or to different kinds of snack, and can also be used savoury dishes. Having them handy in your kitchen is a good idea as they are easy to use and have several health benefits too.
Used As A Snacks
A healthy snack is one of the easiest ways to eat pumpkin seeds. Those who want a crunchy snack may fry raw pumpkin seeds. They taste great when roasted. Preheat your oven, sprinkle the raw pumpkin seeds with salt or your preferred seasoning after spreading them out on a baking sheet and lightly oiling them. To guarantee even cooking, toss them occasionally while roasting them for ten to fifteen minutes. You can try and change the seasoning and experiment with different flavour combination. For a touch of sweetness, add sugar and cinnamon and for some spice add garlic powder and paprika. Consume it as a delicious snack and store it in an airtight pack to maintain its quality.
Use For Salad Topping
With their crisp texture and added nutritional value, pumpkin seeds are a great addition to salads. Just add a handful of raw or roasted seeds to your preferred salad mixture. Their nutty flavour complements all elements and makes your dish tastier and healthier. Feta cheese mixed with baked butternut squash, fresh greens, and cranberries makes a yummy salad. Add pumpkin seeds for crunch. For a special touch, you may also make your own dressing by combining pumpkin seeds with vinegar, olive oil, and spices.
Image Credit: Pexels
Use In Smoothies
One easy method to increase the nutritious value of your morning smoothie is to add pumpkin seeds. Protein, fibre, and good fats can all be found in one serving of pumpkin seeds, which can help you feel full and content all day. Simply add one or two tablespoons of roasted or raw seeds to your preferred smoothie mixture. Blend spinach, banana, almond milk, and a teaspoon of pumpkin seeds to make a nutritious green smoothie that is creamy and full of nutrients. The seeds contribute vital vitamins and minerals and give a somewhat nutty flavour that goes well with fruity foods.
Image Credit: Freepik
Use In Making Pumpkin Seed Pesto Sauce
An interesting pesto sauce that differs from the classic pine nut version can be made with pumpkin seeds as the base. This is a versatile bright green sauce addition toin your cuisine because it can be served in many ways. To enhance the flavour of the sauce, first, briefly roast the pumpkin seeds. Next, put the fresh basil, garlic cloves, the parmesan cheese, and the olive oil into a food processor. Blend until smooth, adding more oil as necessary to suit the consistency.T For an added flavour boost, try this pumpkin seed pesto as a pasta sauce, sandwich spread, or sprinkle over roasted veggies.
Use As Baking Ingredient
You may add texture and nutritional value to your favourite dishes by adding pumpkin seeds to a variety of baked items. To add extra crunch and enhance the flavour of bread, muffins, or biscuits, just fold in a handful of seeds. For extra protein and a nutty taste, try using ground pumpkin seeds in place of some of the flour in your whole-grain muffins. As an alternative, for a visually appealing finish, scatter pumpkin seeds over bread loaves before baking. Their crispy texture adds to the overall flavour profile and makes baked items stand out.
Image Credit: Pexels
Use In Homemade Granola / Trail Mix
Pumpkin seeds make a great addition to homemade trail mix or granola. It is used in these healthy snacks as additive because the result of the cooking process is crispy and the ingredients have many nutritional values. For a tasty and nutritious granola mixture, start by combining oats, almonds, dried fruit, and pumpkin seeds. You can add your favourite sweeteners like honey or maple syrup besides your favorite spices like cinnamon to your granola. To ensure that the flavours blend smoothly, bake the mixture until it turns golden brown. Pumpkin seeds are a great source of protein making it delicious when used withtaken with chocolate chips, dried fruits and other nuts for a trail mix.
Use In Making Pumpkin Seed Butter
Not only does pumpkin seed butter havehas a unique taste and rich texture like most nut butters, but it is also good for health. Just roast the uncooked pumpkin seeds and process them in a food processor, seasoning with salt and a little oil if you like. BUntil you reach the consistency you want, blend until smooth and till you achieve the consistency you want. Pumpkin seed butter is a great addition to your diet since it is loaded with good fats. YFurthermore, you can mix it into dips, and salad dressings.; thus, it is clear that pumpkin seeds can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
Use In Soups And Stews
Pumpkin seeds provide extra nourishment and a delicious crunch to soups and stews. For a heartier texture, they can be incorporated into the soup or used as a garnish. Simply roast the pumpkin seeds and add salt and any other spices you prefer, like chilli powder or cumin, to improve the flavour when using them as a garnish. Blend up some pumpkin seeds to give nuttiness and depth to a creamy pumpkin soup. You may even purée pumpkin seeds with stock and then add it to your dish to make a creamy blended sauce.
Image Credit: Pexels
Sprinkled Over Vegetables
When it comes to adding crunch to sautéed or roasted vegetables, pumpkin seeds are ideal. Just scatter a handful of seeds (such as sprouts, asparagus or zucchini) over your vegetable medley in the final minutes of cooking, letting them toast a little and absorb the flavours of the meal. This method adds an extra layer of taste to the meal and, on top of that, a pumpkin seed offers athe nutty taste to the meal and great quality crunch. You can also make a dressing using vinegar and pumpkin seed oil to sprinkle over your veggies for a burst of flavour.
Use As Toppings For Desserts
Because they provide a pleasing blend of crunch and sweetness, pumpkin seeds can be creatively employed as dessert toppings. For a fun texture change, try scattering them on top of ice cream sundaes, yoghurt parfaits, or even baked items like cheesecakes or brownies. Furthermore, pumpkin seeds are incorporated into protein bars or energy bites to act as a binder and to provide nutty taste with loads of nutrition.
Image Credit: Pexels
From snacks to desserts, pumpkin seeds are a very adaptable ingredient that can be utilised in many different recipes. With such versatility of pumpkin seeds, you should consider these recommendations to enhance the culinary and dietary use of pumpkin seeds.