ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

Remove the seeds from the pumpkin

DO NOT WASH

(I leave the pumpkin flesh on the seeds I like the flavor)

add salt or seasoning of choice

stir to coat evenly

place on a baking sheet and cook 

200 degrees until dry

(about 2 hours or so)

stir often

There are many recipes out there that say to cook at 350 degrees

DON'T DO IT THEY BURN TO EASILY

These seeds are a fall harvest ritual around our house. 

 We snack on them all winter long.  They are full of fiber.

I usually just flavor with salt and bake

however this year I wanted to try something sweet

after roasting for 45 mins. by the above method,

 I put the warm seeds into a bowl

and stirred in some brown sugar and agave nectar

coated the seeds well and put back on the baking sheet and into the oven

this is very sticky

stir it often

I baked another hour and let set until cool

the coating hardens as it cools

then I simply broke apart the seeds

YUMMM,  DELICIOUS

hopped in my old truck and drove back to the pumpkin patch for more pumpkins!

I have also roasted other winter squash seed,

 but I prefer the seeds from pumpkins

I am going to experiment with other flavors

Here is what I'm thinking about.....

Wash seeds. 

 Dry. 

 Pour 2 tbs. melted butter,

1/2 to 1 tb. of spice (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg etc.)

and 1/8 to 1/4 cup of sugar

stir until seeds are well coated 

bake in a low, 200 degree oven until dry

pumpkins grown by my neighbor's kids

isn't this beautiful,
 pumpkin poetry

cut pumpkin into large sections and bake until soft
when cool put in freezer bags
I put in 2 cups
 (the amount I use for a pie)
I place a pie plate full of water underneath to steam the pumpkins
this keeps the inside edges from getting to dry
scoop out all the flesh and freeze.

SQUASH PIE/PUMPKIN PIE

 

 

 

Been makin pies.

pumpkin pie

squash pie

apple pie

It's the pie makin time of year. 

 

 

Here is my all time favorite recipe for squash or pumpkin pie

 

 

First make 2 pie crusts using LARD

yes, lard

I have had enough close calls in my life to realize how short is it

so 

use LARD

I don't have a recipe for the crust

just get a bunch of flour

add some salt

stir

add LARD

crumble it into the flour with your hands

I was taught how to make pie crust by my neighbor

HE always said add enough lard to form small peas

add cold water to make a stiff dough

(I'm sure there is a good recipe out there for pie crust)

 

o.k.

now for the pie

cut up your pumpkin or squash into large pieces

place on a baking sheet

or just on the baking rack

 

 

bake 350 degrees til soft

 

 

don't throw away the seeds

 

 

put them aside to make roasted pumpkin seeds

 

 

(Don't wash the seeds, just spread out on a large baking sheet and cook in a low 250 degree oven until seeds are dry.  Stir often.)

Note:  don't use squash seeds to roast, they do not work as well

and aren't very tasty

 

 

scoop flesh into a bowl, mash or puree

I like to freeze 4 cups in a bag so I can just grab a bag pre-measured for pies

drain off liquid after thawing

 

YUMMY PUMPKIN PIE

 

makes 2  pies

 

4 cups pumpkin or squash pulp (I especially like Banana Squash)

6 eggs

 1 cup sugar

1 can evaporated milk

1/2 to 1 tsp. each cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger

1/2 tsp. cloves

Bake 10 mins at 450 degrees

turn oven to 350

and bake until a knife inserted comes out clean

about 35-45 mins

 

This is almost like a thick custard or pudding. 

Absolutely delicious!

 

Top with REAL CREAM of course.