iRaleighBlog.com

OK, so now that you know how to carve your pumpkins, don’t toss those pumpkin seeds! Toast or roast pumpkin seeds in your oven in no time at all. They can  be salted or spiced to suit your palate. The shells are edible and are a good source of fiber. Use this method with other seeds such as acorn squash and butternut squash. Pumpkin seeds are also known as pepitas. 

INGREDIENTS:

• Pumpkin seeds
• Cooking spray, olive oil, or butter
• Optional: Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, or other seasoning of choice

PREPARATION:

Rinse pumpkin seeds. Use your fingers to remove all the pulp. Drain pumpkin seeds and discard pulp. Spread out on paper towels on a cookie sheet to dry overnight. Preheat oven to 250 F.  

Line a baking sheet with non-stick foil. Toss pumpkin seeds in olive oil, butter, or spray with cooking spray. Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, cayenne pepper, or your choice of seasonings. toss to coat.

Bake about 1 hour, tossing every 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown. Cool pumpkin seeds before eating. Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 months or refrigerate up to 1 year.

If you like your toasted pumpkin seeds extra-salty, soak overnight in a solution of 1/4 cup salt to 2 cups of water. Dry an additional day, then proceed as above.

For all your real estate needs, The FREEMAN/DAVIS TEAM is always at your service.  Please visit our web site at www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com for free money-saving home tips. 

OK…it’s only a few more days til Halloween and if you have not done so already, better work on that Jack-o-lantern before the ghouls start knocking at your door.  As is usually the case in such situations, we’re here to help…this time with our pumpkin carving tips!

• Choose a large pumpkin.  The larger the pumpkin, the easier it is to carve.  Avoid any pumpkins with bruises or moldy stems, as they will spoil much faster.  Pumpkins with a lighter color tend to be softer and easier to carve.
• Draw your design on the pumpkin with a water based maker beforehand.
• When cutting out the top, place the knife at a 45 degree angle so that the lid will have a place to rest when you replace it.  If you cut straight down, the lid will fall through.
• Remove seeds and pulp.  When cleaning the pumpkin, save the seeds .  Toasted pumpkin seeds make a healthy as well as tasty snack.  Use a large, heavy metal serving spoon or ice cream scoop to scrape the insides.
• When carving, keep a portion of the knife blade in the pumpkin and use slow, steady strokes.
• Carve the facial features closest to the center first and work outward.  Cut the larger features in sections.
• Remove carved portions by gently pushing them into or out of the pumpkin.
• Flatten a spot at the base of the pumpkin for the candle, but avoid digging too deep because the pumpkin becomes prone to rot.
• The best way to make a carved pumpkin last longer is to slow down the dehydration process.  To do this, take a Q-tip and Vaseline all the cut edges on the face that you previously carved.
• A small battery operated touchlight is a safer choice than candles for lighting your jack-o-lantern.
• Sprinkle the bottom side of the pumpkin lid the ground cinnamon, nutmeg and/or cloves to let your jack-o’-lantern to double duty as an air freshener.

OR….

• You a can purchase the eyes, ears, nose (and probably a few other Jack-O-Lantern) anatomical attributes and just stick them on the pumpkin.  It’s kinda like decorating Mr. Potato Head only the head is a lot heavier!

Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling real estate, The FREEMAN/DAVIS TEAM would love to help.  For more information please visit www.HomeSearchRALEIGH.com

Frost – Frost breaks down the chlorophyll all at once, this trapping the chlorophyll resulting in longer lasting leaves and color

Rain – A rainy summer and dry fall is best for the leaves. However there is a thin line between too little and too much.

Slope – The high angle of a mountainside causes rain to run off the soil so it is well drained. This allows trees to have drier roots, thus, tree color on these slops is consistently beautiful.

Temperature – Warm temperatures results in the leaves turning color later in the fall, usually meaning a shorter season.

Stress – When a tree is stressed this causes the leaves to turn color and fall early. Stressors include man made factors such a nearby lighting, or natural such as a tree fungus.

Optimal Conditions for brilliant colors are cool clear days combined with an early frost, hopefully around the end of September

Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling real estate, The FREEMAN/DAVIS TEAM would love to help.  For more information, please visit www.FreemanDavisHomeTeam.com