Back to work, back to school, back to routine!! All of this calls for quick and easy to reach for snacks to stave off hunger until meal times. I am a big fan of raw nuts and seeds for this purpose but they can get a little boring. These spicey pepitas are a good option for popping in a jar or lunch box to put a little bit of a pep in your step when the hunger pangs hit. They also work really well sprinkled over salads for added texture and flavour. Spicey pepitas are a fancy name for hulled pumpkin seeds tossed in lime juice or oil with spices and roasted in the oven. For this recipe, I am going for lime juice instead of oil and my spice of choice is chilli. I am also going to add a little sea salt as I love salty snacks. Dare I say these are perfect with a glass of wine ;)
Pumpkin seeds are a good source of plant based protein and healthy fats. They also contain iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc.
Ingredients:
1 cup of pumpkin seeds
Juice of one lime
1 teaspooon of chilli powder
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
Method:
1. Place all of the ingredients in a bowl and toss well to coat the pumpkin seeds with the lime, chilli and sea salt.
2. Place on a baking tray in the oven at 180 degrees celsius / gas mark 4 for about eight minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week.
