From almonds to pistachios, and almost everything in between, pairing cheese and nuts together is a culinary classic. Not only are nuts delicious with just a simple toasting, they can be a crafted into more luxurious creations, too. Nuts are a fantastic pantry staple that you likely have on-hand throughout the year, but sometimes we forget about seasonal nutty options. Especially during this spooky time of year, many households have an excess of pumpkin seeds laying around. And while it’s hard to improve on the timeless roasted pumpkin seed recipe of oil, salt, and pepper, we can think of at least one ingredient that might do the trick: cheese.
Pumpkin seeds are a nutritious superfood, and just one handful can pack a major protein punch that will help keep you energized throughout the day. And while almost every food is at its peak of healthiness when it’s eaten raw, we’re of the mindset that a little extra flavoring never hurt anyone. So, before you roast off another batch of pumpkin seeds the same old way again, or worse, you toss your carved pumpkin innards in the trash (for shame!), consider trying one of these quick and easy cheesy pumpkin seed recipes:
Photo Credit: Image courtesy of the Food Network
A little Parmesan goes a long way, and these garlic Parmesan pumpkin seeds are bursting with flavor. Eat them by the handful, add to a salad, or use as a garnish on one of your favorite cheese-laden fall soups.
Photo Credit: Image courtesy of CHOW
The next time you have a craving for those oh-so-unhealthy (but oh-so-addictive) store-bought cheese puffs, munch on these nacho cheese pumpkin seeds instead! Unlike like those bio-hazard colored cheese snacks, every ingredient in this recipe is safe for human consumption.
Photo Credit: Image courtesy of Cook The Story
Hungry for some cheesy pesto pasta, but trying to watch your waistline before Thanksgiving? Try these Italian pesto and Parmigiano-Reggiano pumpkin seeds.The pumpkin seeds perfectly compliment the nutty pesto. And the best part is that you get to have all of your favorite pasta flavors without the carby guilt!
Photo Credit: Featured image courtesy of blog.ctnews.com
Emily Dangler
Culture Intern Emily Dangler is a creative writer and travel enthusiast, who is always looking for a good story to tell. Originally a West Coast girl, Emily has spent several years migrating across the country and is currently an adopted resident of Boston, where she is enjoying the city's delicious food and rich history.
