Stumped About What to Do With Pumpkin Seeds? Check Out These Genius Recipes

It's easy to overlook pumpkins seeds when carving up jack-o-lanterns for your Halloween decorating. Mixed in with the messy pumpkin guts, it’s easy enough to just toss them in the trash once you’re fully finished scooping.

But we say that's a waste! While some folks may have grown up eating mildly salted roasted pumpkin seeds once or twice a year, in other parts of the world, they're recognized for the culinary ingredient they truly are. Also called pepitas, pumpi

In the food department though, it’s a whole other story. If you’re at a loss for what to do with pumpkin seeds this season, put them to remarkably good use in the kitchen. You can truly never go wrong with plain-and-simple roasted pepitas, but the edible options hardly end there. Top your favorite soups, toasts, pizzas, and salads with the mini fruit residue, for starters. Or, with the help of a food processor or blender, use pumpkin seeds to create pesto sauce, a buttery spread that rivals its peanut counterpart, and even hummus. You’ll hardly be strapped for tasty dessert options either, with this starring ingredient. Think: pumpkin seed muffins, cookies, peanut butter cups, and…drum roll, please…pumpkin bread with pumpkin seeds. Never feel stumped on how to use pumpkin seeds ever again, and let these genius recipes inspire even more cozy autumn concoctions. The next time you’re scooping pumpkins for a jack-o'-lantern, don’t toss the seeds!