How To Roast Seeds After A Pumpkin Patch Visit Near Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT — The holidays, including Halloween, will look very different this year thanks to the coronavirus. However, some quintessential fall activities such as visiting pumpkin patches near Middletown and carving jack-o'-lanterns will stay the same.

In 2020, more people are cooking at home and trying to maximize every penny spent. Here's a simple way to keep that up: Don't toss out those pumpkin seeds. Instead, turn them into a delicious snack.

First, pick up a pumpkin from the local pumpkin patch.

Below is a list of some of our favorite pumpkin patches near Middletown:

• Halfinger Farms, 489 Candlewood Hill Road, Higganum. "We are a family owned and operated plant and pumpkin farm," according to a post on Facebook. "We grow a huge selection of plants, and offer top quality at very reasonable prices. We are located in a beautiful valley setting. Please come out and see us!">>>Read More here.
• Lyman Orchards at 32 Reeds Gap Rd. in Middlefield. "Lyman Orchards, now in its 278th year, is a family-favorite destination for Pick Your Own, our Farm market, championship and beginner golf and much more!">>>Read More.
• Staehly Farms, 278 Town St., East Haddam. "We feature a wide range of farm goods, grown in Connecticut, all according to the season," according to a post on Facebook. "Christmas trees, annuals, perennials, vegetables and pumpkins; we have everything you need, right in your backyard!">>>Read More.
• Old Bishop Farm in Cheshire located at 500 South Meriden Road. "Lots of fall related items coming in every day, pumpkins of all varieties and sizes, mums and asters, straw bales, and scarecrows. Donuts, muffins and pies in the bakery. Apple Crumb Pie and Sunflower Chip ice cream, and pumpkin ice cream this weekend!"
• Berryhill Farm in East Haddam at 300 East Haddam Colchester Turnpike. "Berryhill Farm is a family farm located on beautiful Moodus Reservoir in East Haddam, CT," according to a post on Facebook. "We use organic practices to grow fruits & veggies and offer eggs from happy, free-range ducks and chickens. In the fall, we've got seasonal hay rides! Come see us!"

After you gut the pumpkin for carving, keep the seeds in a bag until you are ready to roast them. Pumpkin seeds are loaded with potassium, packed with fiber and protein, and are the perfect snack to serve your little ghosts and goblins.

Here's our favorite recipe for baking seeds:

Separate the seeds in a bowl as you clean each pumpkin. Heat the oven to 300 degrees. Rinse the seeds in cold water and strain. Pat seeds dry with a paper towel. In a bowl, toss the seeds in just enough olive oil to coat.

Spray an edged baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and spread seeds in a single layer. Season seeds with kosher salt to taste. Bake for 30-40 minutes.

Let cool and enjoy. Seal leftovers in an airtight plastic container.

Ingredients:

• Pumpkin seeds
• Olive oil
• Sea salt

Make Your Jack-O'-Lanterns Last

When you carve that perfect pumpkin, you can plan on it lasting up to 10 days before it starts to show signs of aging. However, if you want to make it last longer, you can mix three teaspoons of bleach with 3 gallons of water and spray the solution throughout, according to Clorox.