Are Pumpkin Seeds Safe to Eat?

Question:
Are Pumpkin Seeds Safe to Eat?

Answer:
Yes!
Go ahead and dig out the seeds when you are cutting open a jack-o-lantern. You can then safely roast any type of pumpkin seeds according to the instructions below. I know we said last week that you should not eat a jack-o-lantern pumpkin, but the extracted seeds of any type of pumpkin will cook up just fine.

Not only are they full of flavor and crunch, but they contain an extremely high concentration of the essential minerals magnesium and zinc.

eat pumpkin seeds

Roasting Pumpkin Seeds

Instructions to Roast Pumpkin Seeds

We told you last week not to eat halloween pumpkins, but we also promised to write about how to roast seeds from any type of pumpkin. The seeds consist of a white outer shell and a green seed within, both parts are completely edible. Pumpkin seeds are not only edible and good for you, but they are also easy to make at home.

  1. Pre-heat oven to 300°F.

  2. Toss seeds with about a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.
    Pulp that is attached to the seeds is perfectly fine, it will caramelize as the seeds roast.
    If desired, but there is no need, you can rinse the seeds in a colander until clean – just be sure to dry them completely before using. Don’t use a paper towel to dry them or it will stick to the seeds, use a clean lint-free towel instead.
    You can also use other spices when preparing to roast pumpkin seeds, if desired, even homemade pumpkin pie spice can be used.

  3. Spread the mixture on a rimmed cookie sheet.

  4. eat pumpkin seeds

  5. Bake for about an hour, stirring occasionally..
    Seeds should be golden brown and crisp when done.

  6. Allow to cool before eating.
eat pumpkin seeds

Are Pumpkin Seeds Safe to Eat?

Additional Info

To find out more about the nutrition within seeds, see our seed nutrition post.

Eat the seeds, but not the halloween pumpkin flesh.

To find out how long pumpkins last, see our pumpkin page.

To find out how long other foods are good for, please visit the Dairy, Drinks, Fruits, Grains, Proteins, Vegetables and Other sections of Eat By Date or use the search function below.

SEARCH Eat By Date