When perusing the grocery store’s nut aisle, you may have come across a tasty looking product called “pepitas”. These green seeds look different than all of the other nuts on the shelf.
Put quite simply, pepitas are pumpkin seeds. “Pepita” is the Mexican Spanish word for pumpkin seed, literally translating to “little seed of squash.” When you buy pepitas, they come shelled, which is why they are green instead of white like the regular pumpkin seeds you might buy. Pumpkin seeds are typically sold inside their white outer shells, but pepitas are only the inner seed portion.
Pepitas are great for cooking since their shells have already been removed. They make a tasty topping for salads, soups, and dips. Guacamole made with pepitas can provide a nice crunch to an otherwise mushy condiment. They are also traditionally roasted and salted and eaten as a snack in Mexico.
Pepitas are a great source of protein, zinc, Omega-3, as well as other important vitamins. Pumpkin seeds are even known to help regulate cholesterol, so the next time you see a package of these at the grocery store, snag some! Pepitas make a great, healthy snack.
Here is one tasty way out of many that you can consume pepitas, brought to you by Food Network.
Spicy Pepitas
Ingredients
2 cups Pepitas (raw hulled green pumpkin seeds)
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground Ancho chiles or chili powder
2 teaspoons lime juice teaspoon salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Toss all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Spread on a baking sheet and bake 5 minutes, or until lightly browned, shaking the pan once or twice. Serve
If you love traditional Mexican food, then you will surely love Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant. We serve authentic Mexican dishes in our three locations in Andover, North Andover, and North Billerica, Massachusetts. Stop by today to enjoy food, drink, and a warm atmosphere.
Have you ever tried pepitas before?