By Lauren Mason of Sterilite Corporation
The weather is changing, the leaves are falling…that’s right, Autumn is here! With Halloween just around the corner, it is time to dust off your decorations and put your costumes together. Soon the night will be filled with echoes of neighborhood children shouting "Trick or Treat" in hopes of bringing home bags full of candy.
One of my favorite fall activities is carving pumpkins! There is nothing better than getting the whole family together for this fun, festive tradition. Take a trip to your local farm and pick out the perfect pumpkin. Choosing a pumpkin that is smooth on the outside with fewer bumps will make it easier to carve. You also want to find one that has a flat bottom so that it sits up straight. Then decide which spooky design you are going to put on your pumpkin this year! And remember, the fun does not have to end once your pumpkin is carved. Roasting the pumpkin seeds is a delicious yet tasty fall treat!
In America, 62% of people carve pumpkins at Halloween. With approximately 500 seeds in every pumpkin, there are a lot of seeds being dug out! Rich in vitamins and minerals, pumpkin seeds are a very nutritious snack. Make the most of this year’s Jack-O-Lantern and roast those seeds, keeping this recipe in mind.
Ingredients:
• 2 cups pumpkin seeds
• 1 quart water
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• Olive oil
Directions:
1) Preheat your oven to 250 degrees
2) Bring 1 quart of water and 2 tablespoons of salt to a boil
3) When the water comes to a full boil, add the seeds. Allow seeds to boil for 8 to 10 minutes
4) Use a Colander to drain the water from the seeds. Place the seeds on a paper towel to dry
5) Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the microwave
6) Place butter and seeds in an Ultra•Seal™ 4.7 Quart Bowl and mix until butter is spread evenly on the seeds
7) Spray a cookie sheet with olive oil so the seeds won't stick. Spread seeds evenly across the sheet
8) Bake for 30 – 40 minutes or until seeds are golden brown
9) Let sit for 10 minutes, allow the seeds to cool
Once the seeds have cooled, store them in an Ultra•Seal™ 2.5 Quart Bowl. The airtight gasket and locking lid will keep the treat you worked hard on, fresh for days.
Happy Halloween!