How To Deal With Pumpkin Seeds

Dealing with pumpkin seeds can be as simple as deciding whether to roast them, plant them, or toss them out.
 
If you’ve ever scooped out a pumpkin and stared at that slimy pile of seeds wondering what to do next, you’re in good company.
 
How to deal with pumpkin seeds really comes down to what you want out of them.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to deal with pumpkin seeds by cleaning, roasting, and storing them so nothing goes to waste.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

How to Deal With Pumpkin Seeds: Start by Cleaning Them

How to deal with pumpkin seeds starts the moment you pull them out of the pumpkin.
 
Here’s the first step in how to deal with pumpkin seeds properly:
 

1. Separate the Seeds From the Pulp

When you’re figuring out how to deal with pumpkin seeds, the first task is pulling them away from the stringy orange goop.
 
Use your hands to scoop the seeds into a bowl, and try to remove as much pulp as you can as you go.
 
This is the messiest part of how to deal with pumpkin seeds, so give yourself some room to work.
 

2. Rinse Them in a Colander

Run the seeds under cold water in a colander and rub them gently to loosen any pulp still clinging on.
 
Don’t soak them for hours, and don’t worry about getting every last fiber off.
 
A quick rinse is really all you need when you’re thinking about how to deal with pumpkin seeds at home.
 

3. Pat Them Dry

Spread the seeds on a clean towel and blot them dry.
 
Dry seeds roast better and don’t steam in the oven, which is a big deal for how to deal with pumpkin seeds if you want a good crunch.
 

How to Deal With Pumpkin Seeds by Roasting Them

Roasting is my favorite answer to how to deal with pumpkin seeds because you end up with a snack instead of a pile of waste.
 
Here’s how to deal with pumpkin seeds in the oven:
 

1. Toss Them in Oil and Salt

Drizzle the dry seeds with a little olive oil or melted butter and sprinkle on salt.
 
You want just enough oil to coat them, not drown them.
 
This step is where how to deal with pumpkin seeds gets fun because you can add garlic powder, paprika, or cinnamon sugar if you like.
 

2. Spread Them in a Single Layer

Pour the seeds onto a baking sheet and spread them out so they aren’t touching.
 
If they’re piled up, they’ll steam instead of roast, and that’s not how to deal with pumpkin seeds if you want them crispy.
 

3. Bake at 300°F for 30 to 45 Minutes

Stir them every 10 minutes or so until they’re golden and dry.
 
You’ll know you nailed how to deal with pumpkin seeds when they smell nutty and rattle around the pan.
 
Let them cool before you eat them, since hot seeds can burn your mouth.
 

How to Deal With Pumpkin Seeds by Saving Them for Planting

If you garden, how to deal with pumpkin seeds can mean saving them for next season instead of the kitchen.
 
Here’s how to deal with pumpkin seeds you want to grow:
 

1. Pick Seeds From Your Best Pumpkin

Choose seeds from a healthy, fully ripe pumpkin for the best results.
 
This matters for how to deal with pumpkin seeds you plan to plant because weak seeds grow weak vines.
 

2. Rinse and Dry Them Completely

Clean the seeds the same way you would for roasting, then lay them out to dry for a week or two.
 
How to deal with pumpkin seeds for planting means getting them bone dry so they don’t mold in storage.
 

3. Store Them in a Cool, Dry Place

Keep the dried seeds in a paper envelope or a glass jar somewhere cool and dark.
 
Label them with the year so you remember, and that’s how to deal with pumpkin seeds that are headed for the soil.
 

How to Deal With Pumpkin Seeds You Can’t Use

Sometimes how to deal with pumpkin seeds means letting them go, and that’s fine too.
 
If the seeds are moldy, smelly, or coated in pumpkin guts you never cleaned, just toss them.
 
You can also compost them if you don’t want them in the trash.
 
Even knowing how to deal with pumpkin seeds the easy way, by letting them rot in a compost pile, is a solid answer.
 

So, How to Deal With Pumpkin Seeds?

How to deal with pumpkin seeds comes down to cleaning them, roasting them, saving them, or composting them.
 
If you’ve ever wondered how to deal with pumpkin seeds after carving a jack-o’-lantern, now you’ve got options that turn waste into something useful.
 
Whether you want a crunchy snack, seeds for next spring, or just a cleaner kitchen counter, how to deal with pumpkin seeds is a lot easier than it looks.
 
Give one of these methods a try this fall and see which one works best for you.