Feeling peckish but not sure what to eat? Try grabbing a handful of Pumpkin Seeds. Not only do they taste delicious, but they are also nutrient rich and super easy to find. Just keep an eye out for flat, oval-shaped green seeds and you’ll know that you’re on the right track. Pumpkin seeds are usually roasted and make for a great snack on their own or a fantastic addition to a range of recipes. Expect a warm, nutty flavour and plenty of crunch with each bite. Pumpkin Seeds are also known as Pepitas, and are popular all across the world.
History
Pumpkin seeds have been consumed for many years and show no sign of going anywhere anytime soon. Pumpkins themselves are thought to have first been discovered in North America and were widely used by Native Americans. Actual pumpkin seeds have been found in Mexico and date back as far as 7000 B.C. Pumpkin seeds have been eaten throughout history for sustenance and medicinal purposes too. For example, pumpkin seeds were given to sick people as a means to expel parasitic worms and intestinal parasites from the body. As a result, they were listed as an antiparasitic in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1863 to 1936. Today, some of the largest producers in the world include Mexico, the United States, China and New Zealand.
Bonus point: Pumpkins were named after the Greek word for large melon – ‘pepon’.