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National Pumpkin Seed Day

Food · Seasonal · October 7

A day for pumpkin seeds, the flat, nutty kernels scooped from pumpkins and roasted, salted or tossed into snacks, salads and breads.

National Pumpkin Seed Day falls on Thursday, October 7, 2027. That is 345 days away.

Every carved pumpkin comes with a bonus inside: a slippery tangle of pulp and pale, flat seeds. Pumpkin seeds are the edible kernels of the pumpkin, and with a little rinsing and an hour in the oven they turn into a crunchy, savory snack.

The seeds straight from a pumpkin have a cream colored shell, and roasting them whole gives a satisfying crunch with a mild, nutty flavor. Hulled seeds, often sold as pepitas, are green and tender. Some pumpkin varieties grow seeds without a tough shell at all, which saves a lot of chewing.

Roasting at home is the classic approach. Separate the seeds from the stringy pulp (a bowl of water helps, since the seeds float and the pulp sinks), pat them dry, toss them with oil and salt, and bake until golden. From there the seasoning is open. Cinnamon and sugar, chili and lime, garlic, smoked paprika and plain sea salt all have loyal fans.

Pepitas show up well beyond the snack bowl. They are scattered over salads and soups, baked into breads and granola, and ground into sauces in Mexican cooking, where they add body and a toasty flavor.

Drying the seeds well before roasting is the step people tend to skip, and it is the one that decides whether they come out crisp or chewy.

Ways to celebrate

• Roast seeds saved from a fresh pumpkin with oil and salt.
• Try a new seasoning, like chili lime or cinnamon sugar.
• Sprinkle toasted pepitas over a salad or bowl of soup.
• Look for a recipe for a pumpkin seed sauce or salsa.
• Share a batch of roasted seeds with a neighbor.

Dates

All national days on October 7

Also on October 7

• National Frappe Day

Categories: Food daysSeasonal days