Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds, often called pepitas when hulled, come from the same pumpkins and winter squash grown throughout the garden, with a mild, nutty flavor that develops into a satisfying crunch when roasted. Every jack-o'-lantern carving session doubles as a harvest if the seeds are saved rather than discarded.

Growing & Harvesting

Pumpkins are a warm-season vine crop needing plenty of space, full sun, and a long growing season, typically direct-sown after the last frost. When harvest time comes, scoop out the seeds along with the stringy pulp, rinse them clean in a colander, and pat dry before roasting — no special variety is needed, though hull-less "naked seed" varieties skip the extra step of removing the tough outer shell.

Culinary Uses

Tossed with a little oil and salt and roasted until golden, pumpkin seeds make a simple snack, and they're equally at home scattered over salads, soups, and granola for extra crunch. Ground, hulled pumpkin seeds are also the base of Mexican pipián sauces.