Tangy Rosemary Toasted Pumpkin Seeds | Healthy Snacking

With Fall upon us and a nice chill in the air it's time to get ready for holidays. Everyone is pulling out their decorations from storage, putting grocery lists together, and preparing for gatherings of friends and family. It also happens to be squash season and the king of all squash is our friend, the pumpkin. You are most likely going to be inundated with pumpkins this time of year - Jack-o-lanterns, pumpkin bread, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, and pumpkin ice cream are just a few things you might be surrounded by.

There is one tragic and wasteful thing that happens with all this pumpkin love that most people don't realize. Where are the pumpkin seeds? Yes, tons of pumpkin seeds make their way to the trash bin during this squash frenzy and that's just sad.

9 Health Benefits Of Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are a tasty and delicious snack that are also loaded with healthy nutrients that shouldn't be discarded. They're also super easy to prepare. Natural News outlines the many health benefits of eating these nutritional seeds.

1. Pumpkin seeds have large amounts of minerals that include copper, iron, manganese, magnesium and phosphorus.

2. These seeds are rich in Vitamin K.

3. These seeds are able to help in lowering LDL cholesterol in human bodies. This is because they have phytosterols compounds.

4. Pumpkin seeds promote sleep and lower depression. This is due to the presence of tryptophan (in them) which when absorbed in the body becomes serotonin, a good sleep inducer.

5. Pumpkin seeds contain big amount of zinc, a mineral very important in preventing osteoporosis.

6. Pumpkin seeds are a very good source of vitamin E and the B vitamins.

7. Pumpkin seeds are full of protein as mentioned earlier. They also reduce inflammation associated with arthritis.

8. Pumpkin seeds have been found to have the ability to prevent formation of kidney stones.

9. Pumpkin seeds are perfect for men who are at risk of developing prostate cancer. The oil contained in these seeds helps to alleviate urination associated with enlarged prostate.

In honor of this powerhouse seed, I've come up with a recipe that makes them irresistable. By boiling the seeds in vinegar you not only get a delicious tang, but it also breaks down the outer layers so they are easier to digest. Adding rosemary and garlic to the mix also adds more fall flavors.

Do yourself a favor and make this recipe part of your fall traditions and you'll not only make your guests happy, you'll also be feeding them one of the healthiest things they can eat during the holiday season.

Tangy Rosemary Toasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups pumpkin seeds, pulp removed and rinsed

2 cups white vinegar

1 Tblsp olive oil

1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon chili pepper flakes

1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring vinegar to boil and add pumpkin seeds. Reduce to simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and strain out vinegar. Pat dry seeds with paper towels and place on foil lined baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil on top of seeds and mix till coated. Spread into a single layer and place in oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and mix then put back in oven for 10 more minutes.

While the seeds are toasting place rosemary, garlic, chili pepper flakes, and salt in a mortar and pestal or a coffee grinder and grind to a semi fine powder. After the seeds have toasted for 20 minutes, remove from oven and sprinkle seasoning on top and mix to incorporate. Let cool for 30 minutes before serving.

Serves 8

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