Thursday 6 October 2011

Spiced pumpkin seeds and a bleeding heart

Whether bound by generational blood, fluttering hearts or open arms, the love that a family can give surpasses all other. A family - no matter how it is constructed - supplies you with safety, with understanding, a quiet hand to hold or even just an ear. Judgement is always short lived, with compassion and a care filled soul righteously taking over the lead position. My family has always been the protectors of my bleeding heart. They shelter me under their wings and guide me to an unbiased corner of our world to help repair any troubles my fragile being may have. The love that I have for my family - old and new - is of an immeasurable amount. And I wish I shared this with them more often than I do. 


Might be strange to now start talking about pumpkin seeds but it's a memory that I often return to when thinking about my childhood. I can picture my sister and I scooping out the seeds and slime from the belly of a carve-able halloween  pumpkin - being grossed out by it's consistency yet excited about the deliciousness we can create from it's little seedy bits. I miss being within arms reach of my sister. She has supported me through many a tough feat - even my fear of what lurks in the depths of a pumpkin.


In a bowl or grinder blend together 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 a teaspoon sea salt, 1/2 a teaspoon brown sugar, 1/4 of a teaspoon ground smoked chipotle, 1/4 of a teaspoon black pepper, and a 1/4 of a teaspoon garlic powder. Set aside and coat 2 cups of dried pumpkin seeds with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Add some of the spice mix to that - little at a time to suit your taste. Throw the spice covered pumpkin seeds on a lightly oiled baking sheet and cook in a  150c oven for 20 minutes or so. Check them often to ensure they are not burning. 



Once they have exited the oven in good health, chuck them in a bowl, let cool, and devour. 


3 comments:

  1. LOVE those things..... your photography is so excellent!

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  2. I look forward to doing this soon! We are taking Tobin to a pumpkin patch down the road to pick his own pumpkin "in the wild" this year. Exciting!

    p.s. We miss you so much Bean... I hope you know how much.

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  3. I read this and I want to weep...love you soo much Janel - am so very very proud of you.

    your mumma...

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