About White Pumpkins

• White pumpkins are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Lumina is a bright white pumpkin variety that weighs 10 to 12 lb. at maturity and measures approximately 8 to 10 inches in diameter. Baby Boo is a demure little pumpkin about the size of a baseball, measuring only about 3 inches in diameter. Although Baby Boo is great for carving, larger white pumpkins such as Full Moon, with a maximum diameter of 30 inches, are better if you want to roast the seeds. Other white pumpkins include Fairy Tale, Valenciano, and Snowball.
  
  

Preparing the Seeds

• Place the seeds in a large bowl filled with lukewarm water. Wash your hands with soap and water. Put your hands in the bowl and rub the seeds between your fingers as you separate the seeds from the pulp. Pour the clean pumpkin seeds into a strainer and allow the seeds to drain thoroughly for at least 30 to 45 minutes. Spread the seeds on a thick layer of paper towels to dry, or dry the seeds with a hair dryer. Alternatively, place the seeds in a thin layer on a baking sheet. Set your oven to between 120 and140 degrees Farenheit. Stir the seeds every 10 to 15 minutes until they are dry.
  
  

Roasting White Pumpkin Seeds

• Spread the pumpkin seeds on a baking pan or cookie sheet. Drizzle melted butter or vegetable oil over the seeds, then stir until the seeds are lightly coated. Sprinkle the seeds with salt to taste. Use regular table salt, kosher salt or sea salt. Place the seeds in an oven preheated to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Roast the seeds for 15 to 30 minutes. Stir the seeds every 5 to 10 minutes to prevent burning. Remove the pan from the oven when the seeds are golden brown and crispy.
  
  

Variations

• Seasonings add interest and variety to your roasted pumpkin seeds. For example, try a few drops of Worchestershire sauce and a bit of garlic salt or onion salt. For tangy seeds, use lemon salt or a mixture of ranch dressing mix and dill. A mixture of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger makes pumpkin seeds ideal for autumn. If you like to munch on fiery hot pumpkin seeds, blend the seeds with cayenne pepper or chili pepper with a dash of cumin, or a small amount of taco seasoning. Add the seasonings before roasting, along with butter or oil.