October 27, 2011

Pumpkin Carving and Seed Roasting


We ventured out this evening to Daniel's Greenhouse in search of the perfect pumpkins.

Natalie always does a quick run through in search of the biggest pumpkin available.  She chooses 2 or 3 on her first run through and on her second run around she spots it.  A rush of kids sweeps through and she panics.  She runs full speed in the direction of her beloved large spectacle of a pumpkin and lays her hands on it giving them all the stink-eye.  She exclaims loud enough for everyone to hear, "This is it!  This is my pumpkin!"

She decides she wants to carve her pumpkin as a Creeper from Minecraft the computer game.

Photo from Think Geek



Luke, in his big 12 year old pants decides on the car ride over that maybe he won't get a pumpkin this year.  But the lure of all the bright orange pumpkins calls him in and he just can't resist.  In his defiance against his sister, he decides to go for the smallest pumpkin of all.  His dad tells him that there is no way he was ever going to be able to carve a pumpkin that small.

Oh yeah, dad!


Have you carved your pumpkins yet?  If so, have you entered them in movita beaucoup's Pumpkin Carve-Off 2011?

Told you that pumpkin was big!
Now for a recipe!

This was my first year I have ever roasted, toasted, whatever pumpkin seeds.

Separate seeds from stringy core, rinse and boil in about 2 cups water to every half cup of seeds.
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds 

Ingredients:
  • A pumpkin or two or three (depending on how many children you have) of your child's choice
  • Salt
  • Olive oil
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut open the pumpkin and use a strong metal spoon to scoop out the insides (obviously this is the child's job, if you have any. Well, maybe not the cut the pumpkin open part. You should do that). Separate the seeds from the stringy core. Rinse the seeds.
  2. In a small saucepan, add the seeds to water, about 2 cups of water to every half cup of seeds. Add a half tablespoon of salt for every cup of water (more if you like your seeds saltier). Bring to a boil. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and drain.
  3. Spread about a tablespoon of olive oil over the bottom of a roasting pan. Spread the seeds out over the roasting pan, all in one layer. Bake on the top rack until the seeds begin to brown, 10-20 minutes. Every now and then give them a shuffle. When browned to your satisfaction, remove from the oven and let the pan cool on a rack. Let the seeds cool all the way down before eating. Add more salt if you wish, I did. Either crack to remove the inner seed or eat whole.
Adapted from Simply Recipes

Servings: 1 oz.
Calories:  160
Total Fat:  13 g
Cholesterol:  0 mg.
Sodium:  170 mg.
Protein:  10 g.


Don't be alarmed if your belly starts to grow and you look pregnant next October.  It's just the pumpkin seed growing in your belly.  *Men, be advised this can happen to you too! 

Bake on top rack until seeds begin to brown.  Eat!

27 comments:

  1. This is fantastic. Love all the pics. Great recipe. And the warning at the end is hilarious.

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  2. Lovin' your pumpkins! We are carving ours on Saturday! I like your seed roasting recipe and tips. I totally ruined mine last year. I am determined to get them right this time around!

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  3. This. Is. Awesome.

    And you were the first official entry for Pumpkin Carve-Off 2011. Which means you win a prize: my undying love.

    You're welcome.

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  4. Thank you :) Our kids know we are very limited in our pumpkin carving skills! LOL!

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  5. I had the husband along to carry it :) The roasted seeds are extremely addicting. Natalie had to take them away from me last night.

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  6. My son has just discovered Minecraft and totally digs your pumpkins! Love the new look, BTW!

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  7. Thank you!  Both of my kids love that game. I haven't played it but my husband plays with them.

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  8. I know, right!  Thanks for linking up your fabulous pumpkin recipes!

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  9. Thanks so much, Ryan!  These changes have all been very recent so you haven't been MIA for too long.  I'm always tweaking.  I may have a problem :)

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  10. Thanks! I must warn you though, they are very addictive!

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  11. Thanks Kim!  You can never be too careful :)

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  12. Wow, I have been really reaallly absent because I have missed a TON going on on your blog! I love the new design-- its gorgeous. Also, thank you for the Versatile Blogger award! We've had company and work's been busy but I hated missing out on my blogging friends!  Those are some great (and ginormous) pumpkins and I looove toasted pumpkin seeds! Fun times! 

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  13. Oh yes!  Do. Not. Get. In their way!  I find my daughter is more bull headed then my son. 

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  14. I was rather surprised at how easy they are to toast!  I will definitely make that a Halloween tradition!

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  15. Hi Jay! Thanks for stopping by. I'll hop on over and check you out :)

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  16. Thanks Stephanie!  I found it took about 20 minutes to fully brown to the color I wanted.  Good luck!

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  17. I love the pumpkins.  Great job carving by everyone :)

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  18. You are your kids are so cute!  And what a humongous pumpkin!  I wish my kids liked simple designs, but it seems each year we have to carve out a Green Bay Packer logo :/

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  19. Amazingly delicious...excellent cliks..
    first time here..love your space..
    very interesting posts with nice presentation..
    Am your happy follower now...;)
    do stop by mine sometime..
    Tasty Appetite

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  20. Whoa!  Huuuuugee!!!  It must be really heavy to bring it home. =)  I love the picture of you with the kids.  It sure looks you guys had fun time curving.  We did it last weekend too.  It's almost Halloween!  The roasted seads sound delish!

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  21. This looks great. Love all the photos. That is a large pumpkin. :-)

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  22. Jennifer @ Mother Thyme10.2.12

    I have a bunch of pumpkin seeds that I need to use and this will be perfect!  Thanks for sharing.  Your pumpkins look adorable too! 

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  23. Tina@flourtrader10.2.12

    I have yet to find a pumpkin that big-of course I haven't been pumpkin picking either.  Looks like everybody got into the carving fun!  Roasting pumpkin seeds looks pretty easy and to think I have been buying them-they are expensive already roasted.  Thanks for sharing.

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  24. Moogie10.2.12

    Holy cow..... that pumpkin is huge. I haven't carved a pumpkin in years. Don't miss the mess. But I still love to eat them. 

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  25. Love roasting pumpkin seeds!  We are carving ours this weekend!  Don't you just love kids - gotta stand their ground and make their own decisions!

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Comments make me smile! Thank you for your love :)