Fun Pumpkin Facts

Posted by Janet Owens on Friday, October 14th, 2011 at 7:04pm.

pumpkins_400Pumpkins are a fruit, native to North America, and originated in Central America.  They are high in fiber and low in calories, fat, and sodium, and are a good source of vitamin A & B, potassium, protein, and iron.  They are 90% water.

Chris Stevens of New Richmond, WI, holds the current world record (2011) for growing the largest pumpkin ever.  It weighs in at a whopping 1810.5 pounds!

If you've ever wondered what to do with those seeds you have left over from carving your pumpkin, you may want to try roasting them.  Here's how:

Separate the seeds from the flesh and strings and wash them.  The easiest way to wash them is to put them in a large bowl of water and rub them between your hands.  Once you've washed them. put them in a strainer for about 30 minutes.  Then, spread them out in a baking pan and place them in a 150 degree oven to dry them.  Stir every 10 minutes.  Once dry, spread the seeds out on a cookie sheet.  Lightly coat the seeds with melted butter, margarine, or vegetable oil.  Add seasonings (see recipes below), and place them in a 250 degree oven for about 10-20 minutes - until they're golden brown.  Stir them every 5 minutes.  Enjoy!

1.  Savory- 4 T butter, 1/2 t garlic salt, 2 t Worchestershire Sauce.

2.  Fall Favorite - 4 T butter, 1 t cinnamon, 1/2 t ground ginger, 1/2 t ground allspice, 1/2 t salt.

3.  Caliente - 4 T butter, 1 t cayenne pepper, 1/2 t thyme, 1/2 t salt.

4.  Natural - 4 T butter, 1 t sea salt.

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