Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

Well, I can't believe the first recipe that I am putting up is from Martha Stewart. This is probably the only Martha recipe that I have in my collection. Just in time for pumpkin carving with the kids, here goes!

Sweet and Spicy Pumpkin Seeds.
Pumpkin seeds must be completely dried out in the oven before combining with spices. Whether for cooking or carving, choose an unblemished pumpkin that feels heavy for its size; it will store well, uncarved, at room temperature, for up to a month.
Ingredients
Makes 1 cup
1 medium pumpkin
5 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch of cayenne pepper, to taste
1 1/2 tablespoons peanut oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Cut pumpkin open from the bottom, removing seeds with a long-handled spoon. Separate flesh from seeds. Pumpkin should yield 1 cup seeds. Spread seeds on an ungreased cookie sheet in an even layer. Bake until dry, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Let cool.




In a medium bowl combine 3 tablespoons sugar, salt, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne. Heat peanut oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add pumpkin seeds and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Cook until sugar melts and pumpkin seeds begin to caramelize, about 45 to 60 seconds. Transfer to bowl with spices, and stir well to coat. Let cool. These may be stored in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Since all recipes need some sort of adjustment for my limited cabin kitchen, I omit the cumin, I don't have any. And, I use a full 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. These are a great Fall treat at the cabin.




Let me introduce you to Cleopatra, Queen of the Cabin. She is our German Shorthaired Pointer. Technically, she is a 'bird dog'. But, she is not very 'birdy', good thing or my bird feeders would never get a rest! She prefers 'prey' that is on the ground including Chipmunks, Squirrels, Rabbits. But, she is a FREAK over Chipmunks. Sometimes I call her Chippy Girl. I give her a lot of pet names. She loves to kiss and snuggle up. Bill and I rescued her, and we believe her to be about 8 years old. I'll let Bill tell you more about Cleo and our beloved Caesar, Bill's best friend and hunting companion, who passed on to the Rainbow Bridge last year.