Roasted Pumpkin Seeds with a Spanish Twist
Roasted pumpkin seeds with a Spanish twist make for a delightful snack or appetizer that's both crispy and flavorful. Follow these steps to create this tasty treat, and enhance the flavor with two seasoning options: sweet paprika and salt, or a unique blend of paella spices with saffron.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
- Scrape out the Pumpkin Seeds. Begin by cutting open the pumpkin and removing the top. Use a sturdy metal spoon to scrape out the seeds and any attached pumpkin strings.
- Place the collected pumpkin seeds in a colander and rinse them thoroughly under running water to remove any remaining pumpkin debris.
- Measure the pumpkin seeds and transfer them to a medium-sized saucepan. For every 1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds, add 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of salt to the saucepan. Adjust the salt quantity to your preferred level of saltiness.
- Bring the salted water and pumpkin seeds to a boil. Allow the seeds to simmer in the salted water for about 10 minutes.
- Once the seeds have finished simmering, remove them from the heat and drain them thoroughly.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Coat the bottom of a roasting pan or a thick baking sheet with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Season the Pumpkin Seeds. Now, you have two seasoning options:
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Sweet Paprika and Salt: Toss the boiled pumpkin seeds with a mixture of sweet paprika and a pinch of salt to add a classic Spanish flavor. Adjust the seasonings to taste.
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Paella Spice Blend with Saffron: For a unique twist, toss the boiled seeds with our paella spice blend that includes saffron and other aromatic spices. This will infuse your pumpkin seeds with an authentic Spanish flair.
- Spread the seasoned pumpkin seeds evenly on the oiled roasting pan, making sure they are in a single layer. Give the seeds a gentle toss to ensure they are coated with the seasonings. Place the pan on the top rack of the preheated oven.
- Bake: Small pumpkin seeds may take approximately 5 minutes, while larger seeds may need up to 20 minutes to toast. Keep a close eye on them to prevent over-toasting.
- Remove the pan from the oven once the seeds have turned a light golden brown.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the roasted pumpkin seeds to cool on a rack to achieve maximum crispiness.
Once they have cooled completely, savor the delightful flavors of your Spanish-style roasted pumpkin seeds with a twist.
Whichever seasoning option you choose, these roasted pumpkin seeds with a Spanish twist are sure to be a hit at your next gathering or as a tasty snack anytime and specially during the fall season.