Description
A flavorful and spicy snack featuring crunchy roasted pumpkin seeds coated with a zesty Mina harissa paste and aromatic spices, perfect for a healthy, savory treat or salad topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Seed Preparation
- 1 cup (about 129g) organic pumpkin seeds, raw, hulled (pepitas)
- Water for soaking
Seasoning
- 1 tsp (5ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp (10g) Mina harissa paste
- 1/2 tsp (1g) ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp (1g) smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp (0.5g) garlic powder
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and allow it to heat fully to ensure the pumpkin seeds roast crispy and evenly.
- Clean Seeds Thoroughly: Rinse the pumpkin seeds under cold water to remove any pumpkin pulp or debris. Soak them for at least 30 minutes to help float away any residual bits. Drain and pat dry thoroughly with a towel to avoid sogginess during roasting.
- Mix Harissa Paste: In a mixing bowl, combine 2 teaspoons of Mina harissa paste with 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil. Stir until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
- Coat Seeds Completely: Add the cleaned, dried pumpkin seeds to the harissa and olive oil mixture. Stir well to coat every seed evenly. For even seasoning, you can pour the harissa mixture over the seeds twice, mixing thoroughly each time.
- Spread on Baking Sheet: Arrange the coated seeds in a single, spaced-out layer on a baking sheet, breaking apart any clusters to promote even roasting and crispness.
- Bake and Monitor: Roast the seeds in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure uniform cooking and crisping. If seeds start to burn around 15 minutes, reduce oven temperature by 25°F (14°C). If soggy after baking, return to oven for an additional 5 minutes at 425°F (220°C).
- Cool and Store: Remove from oven and let seeds cool completely on the baking sheet. Transfer cooled seeds to an airtight container to keep fresh and crunchy.
Notes
- Soaking pumpkin seeds helps remove bitterness and pumpkin residue for a cleaner taste.
- Patting the seeds dry is crucial for crispy roasting.
- Adjust harissa paste quantity according to your spice preference.
- Stirring seeds halfway through baking promotes even roasting and avoids burning.
- Store roasted seeds in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
