Step-by-Step Pumpkin Seed Recipes

The appearance of pumpkins on the market signals one thing in Bulgaria - autumn is already here. Pumpkins signal seasonal change just like colorful tree leaves and bird migration do. Huge piles appear at local markets, reminding me of childhood... and of my grandma's recipes.

You can use pumpkin seeds in various ways to prepare tasty bites or salads. Need some inspiration? Read on.

Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
Needed ingredients:
- pumpkin seeds
- olive oil
- salt
- dill
- pepper
- paprika

How to prepare: The seeds need to be peeled and mixed with the olive oil and the spices. Bake in an oven until the seeds change color. Another option is to bake the seeds and to add the spices once you take them out of the oven. Prepared in this way, the seeds are an excellent appetizer that only needs your favorite drink to turn into a special treat.

Pumpkin Seed Salad
Needed ingredients:
- a lettuce
- two cucumbers
- dill
- pumpkin seeds
- three eggs
- salt
- half a lemon
- olive oil

How to prepare: Cut the lettuce in thin slices. The same procedure applies for the cucumbers. Cut the eggs and add them to the salad. The baked pumpkin seeds should enter the mixture at this point. The spices to use include salt, lemon and olive oil (in accordance to your taste). Mix. Put the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Serve and enjoy. Basically, this is a modified green salad. You might try adding some tuna fish to it.

Pumpkin Seeds Chicken
Needed ingredients:
- chicken fillet
- two eggs
- a cup of flour
- pumpkin seeds
- salt
- oregano

How to prepare: You need to slightly boil the chicken fillets. Add oregano and little bit of salt. Take the fillets out of the boiling water once they have slightly cooked. Mix the eggs, flour and the pumpkin seeds. Dip each fillet in the mixture. Heat oil in a pan and start frying the fillets. Fry until the color turns to gold. Serve with mashed potatoes or French fries.

These are just three suggestions but you can always improvise and use the seeds as a tasty ingredient in one of the traditional meals that you prepare. Pumpkin seeds can also be used in various sweets but I would like to leave that option to your imagination.