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Spicy Pepitas

I remember eating these as a kid for years before I knew they were the seeds from a pumpkin! LOL! One of the things that reminds me of fall, besides pumpkin empanadas, is making these spicy pepitas. Once you make them, they last forever and are a great snack anytime. Truly the hardest part of this recipe is cutting the pumpkin and cleaning the seeds out, ha ha...Well, for me it is. But, as you all know me, always up for a food challenge! Never say never. I love fall!

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh pumpkin seeds, rinsed and cleaned
1/2 cup lemon or lime juice
2 to 3 tablespoons chile limon powder
2 to 3 tablespoons sriracha hot sauce
1 teaspoon salt
Pam spray oil
Easy release foil paper or parchment paper

A medium-size pumpkin yields about 2 cups of seeds. (If you prefer, you could mix all the ingredients in a bowl, then spread them onto the lined cookie sheet.)

Directions:

1. After cleaning out the pumpkin seeds, rinse under warm water to clean. Drain really well, transfer to a storage container. Add the lemon or lime juice and soak overnight.

2. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Drain the lemon or lime juice from the pepitas, and spread onto lined cookie sheet. Season with salt, chile limon powder, and sriracha, mix well to combine. Spray with oil, mix again.

3. Bake for 10 minutes, stir to turn, then bake for another 4 to 6 minutes. Do not walk away, because they may burn...:) Remove from oven and lightly shake the excess seasoning off. Serve right away or wait until they cool completely and store in plastic storage bag. I suggest letting them dry out overnight on the cookie sheet, cover lightly with paper towels.

Note: If you cannot find chile limon powder, mix 1/2 a teaspoon of cayenne pepper with 2 tablespoons of mild chile powder. And you could certainly make these mild with just the lime or lemon juice, salt and mild chile powder.If they become a little soft, just lightly re-toast them in a dry nonstick skillet.

Other recipes by Sonia:

Mexican Red Rice
Buñuelos
Chile Relleno with Serrano Shrimp
Cheesy Chorizo Bread
Flank Steak Tacos
Pumpkin Empanadas
Annatto-Citrus Marinated Chicken
Chile Garlic Shrimp Kabobs
Avocado Fries
Chicken Enchilada Soup with Chayotes
Dulce de Leche and Chocolate Chip Chimichangas

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Spicy Pepitas

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