Quick and Easy Treat!!!

it's that wonderful time of the year where pumpkins are everywhere. if you are like me that means halloween jack-o-lanterns, pumpkin bread and muffins, and yes all those pumpkin seeds! so what to do with all those pesky seeds you've pulled from the inside of your pumpkin? how about a tasty, crunchy and healthy (sshhh, don't tell) snack. the hardest part of this recipe is carving the pumpkin and cleaning the seeds, the rest is a snap. what you don't like to ***clean pumpkin seeds? well for those of you out there that think i'm crazy for spending the time, you can buy pre-packaged pumpkin seeds in the store, just buy them plain and cut the cooking time in half!

spicy pumpkin seed
3 cups of pumpkin seeds***
2 Tbls of oil (any you prefer)
1 tsp dry pico de gallo
(use what ever spicy seasoning you like, cayenne, ancho, ect.)
1 tsp of lemon juice
salt & pepper to taste

preheat oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
place pumpkin seeds in a bowl and toss with all ingredients, till all are covered. spread out on baking sheet and cook in oven 10-15 mins. turning every few minutes, till golden brown and crunchy! see easy peasy!
this is the fun part, not into spicy? just use salt and pepper and omit lemon and spice. feeling kind of sweet? switch to a little sugar and cinnamon. the possibilities are endless when you follow your taste buds. happy fall!

*** to clean pumpkin seeds, remove all pumpkin strings and rinse in water, then drain in colander. spread out on baking sheet and let dry 2-3 hours or overnight, before seasoning and baking for a crunchier seed.