Pumpkin Seeds consists of an edible seed from a pumpkin or other cultivars from squash.
In North America, it also goes by the name of “Pepita.” These seeds are usually asymmetrically oval and flat.
It possesses a white-coloured outer husk, and once you remove the husk, you will see that it features a light green colour.
Also, certain cultivars tend to be huskless. They are strictly grown for their seed, which is perfectly edible.
These seeds are quite rich in calories and nutrients.
In a nutshell, pumpkin seeds can either come with an unhulled full seed or a hulled kernel.
They mostly come in the form of a roasted snack product.
Pumpkin seeds are a popular ingredient when it comes to Mexican cuisine.
You can try interesting recipes such as the “Oven-Toasted Pumpkin Seeds” or the “Basic Roasted Pumpkin Seeds with Variations.”.
Can you freeze pumpkin seeds? Yes. It is definitely possible to freeze your pumpkin seeds.
You may wish to freeze your pumpkin seeds if you plan to use them later.
If you have bought a full packet of it, then we would advise you to put it straight into the freezer.
Does Freezing Affect Pumpkin Seeds?
The quality and flavour of your pumpkin seeds won’t be affected while freezing.
It isn’t similar to those perishable edibles that come with a short shelf life.
When you try to freeze it, everything will remain intact, and there are no chances for its quality to deteriorate.
But it is very important for you to avoid exposing it to air.
Why? Well, because it possesses an increased chance of going rancid.
When you proceed to store it, you need to ensure that you are sealing or closing it properly.
And no. Your pumpkin seeds won’t end up sprouting their roots inside the freezer.
It will remain as it is inside the freezer, i.e., frozen and flavourful.
Lastly, do not allow any moisture to seep into the pumpkin seeds because that’s when they will get spoiled.
How To Freeze Pumpkin Seeds?
There are three methods for freezing here, and it depends on whether you are freezing packaged, fresh, or cooked pumpkin seeds.
They are as follows:
Freezing Packaged Pumpkin Seeds
- If you have bought a sealed pumpkin seeds package, then you can put it straight into your freezer.
- You have to realise that it’s moisture-proof and airtight, allowing it to last for a long time inside the freezer without losing its quality.
- If you have purchased multiple packets, then proceed to stack them on top of each other. It will help save space.
- But if you have already opened the package, then you can put them inside a Ziploc bag or container that’s freezer-safe and airtight.
- Do not leave any room for moisture to get inside the bag or container.
Freezing Fresh Pumpkin Seeds
- First, you need to clean off all the pumpkin residue from your seeds. Proceed to fully dry them by spreading them on a single baking sheet. Now you need to cover it with parchment paper.
- The reason why we suggest using parchment paper is that nothing sticks to it regardless of the ingredient being cold, warm, dry, or wet. Avoid using aluminium foil or plastic wrap.
- Your seeds will require 1-2 days to fully dry. Now, you need to freeze batches of the seeds one by one inside the freezer. It’s to make sure that they aren’t clumping up, and freezing each batch will require over 20-30 minutes.
- After they are all frozen, start collecting them and put them inside a freezer-safe Ziploc bag or an airtight container.
- Proceed to store them inside the freezer. Ensure that they are closed or sealed properly to prevent air and moisture from getting in.
Freezing Cooked Pumpkin Seeds
- This process is very similar to the fresh method. However, you need to wait for the seeds to cool off instead of drying thoroughly.
- Ensure that the seeds are at room temperature when you put them inside the freezer. Why? Well, because the hot to cold shift will bring tons of condensation, which you don’t want. Collection of moisture will spoil the seeds in a few days.
- You can either store them inside an airtight container or a Ziploc bag that is fully freezer-safe.
Frozen pumpkin seeds can last for over 12 months inside your freezer.
If you store and handle your frozen pumpkin seeds carefully, then they can even last longer than a year.
It is important to prioritise its maintenance for an increased lifespan inside the freezer.
How To Thaw Frozen Pumpkin Seeds?
Thawing your frozen pumpkin seeds solely depends on the way you plan to eat them.
- If you plan to bake them, then you can simply add them directly to your dish frozen. Thawing isn’t needed here.
- If you want to eat them like snacks, then you can place them on your kitchen counter. The room temperature will do its magic and make them edible in no time.
- Another method would be to defrost them using warm water. You can put them in a bowl and place them over some warm water. The temperature will quicken the thawing process.
Caution.
- Do not wash your pumpkin seeds with warm or hot water. It is best to not wash them in general.
- Do not try to microwave your frozen pumpkin seeds. The results won’t be pretty.
- Once you use the required number of pumpkin seeds for thawing, ensure that you put the remaining ones back into the freezer by sealing them properly.
Conclusion
Yes, pumpkin seeds are tiny, but they carry an array of health benefits.
Even when you eat a small amount of it, you can expect your body to garner healthy fats, zinc, and magnesium.
It improves health conditions related to heart, prostate, and also cancer.
You can even say goodbye to sicknesses such as UTI, blood sugar, parasites, high blood pressure, kidney stones etc.
Many people use the seeds for a ton of unique, tasty recipes too.
Now you can harvest, prepare, and store your seeds in the freezer for future use.
Can You Freeze Pumpkin Seeds? A Complete Guide
Ingredients
- Pumpkin seeds
- Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Prepare all the mentioned equipment and ingredients in the article.
- Follow the steps for proper freezing.
- Label the container with the date and contents.
- Depending on the recipe, thawing time may vary.
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