NATIONAL PUMPKIN SEED DAY OCT 6

The first Wednesday in October, on October 6 this year, serves up a yummy delight as food lovers mark National Pumpkin Seed Day. The delicious treats make the perfect snack for the season. Foodies across the country will definitely have tons of experience with the tasty flavor of roasted pumpkin seeds. Add the fact that these seeds have tons of health benefits and it’s little wonder that it gets a whole day to itself.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL PUMPKIN SEED DAY

Pumpkin seeds (also known as pepitas) have been recognized for their medicinal and dietary properties for hundreds of years. According to archeological studies of an excavated tomb in central Mexico, the first record of pumpkin seeds stretches back to 7000 B.C.

The Mayans and the Aztecs were among the civilizations believed to have recognized the nutritional and health benefits of pumpkin seeds. Their instincts were quite right. Pumpkin seeds are one of the plant-based foods with the most nutrients. A serving of a quarter cup contains 17% of the daily zinc recommendation for adults alongside 15% of red blood cell-boosting iron.

One ounce of the small seed packs a staggering 8.5 grams of plant-based protein. That is about 2.5 times more than what you get from a hard-boiled egg. That’s not all either; the flavorful treat boasts a generous stock of minerals (40% of the recommended daily intake of phosphorus, manganese, and magnesium) that support general body function.

In 2016, SuperSeedz Gourmet Pumpkin Seeds created National Pumpkin Seed Day to celebrate the amazing health benefits and culinary applications of pumpkin seeds. Founder, Kathie Pelliccio, started SuperSeedz with a pan in her kitchen, making yummy pumpkin seeds to supplement yogurt, oatmeal, and salads.

Without their shells, pumpkin seeds make a tasty snack. To get the best out of these flavor-packed treats, try dry-roasting them or working in some savory seasonings. They are versatile and can even be added to a bowl of ice cream. Stuff them into baked goods for that extra crunch as you munch away, or for added protein in your power bars and granolas.

NATIONAL PUMPKIN SEED DAY TIMELINE

7000 B.C.The First Seeds Emerge

Pumpkin seeds are cultivated in central Mexico.

8000 B.C.Cucurbita Emerges

Cucurbita, a group of herbaceous vines (squash, gourd, or pumpkin), enter cultivation records 4,000 years ahead of crops like beans and maize.

1800s–1900s Pumpkin Seeds Enter the Pharmacopoeia

Pumpkin seeds are listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia as antiparasitic.

2016 National Pumpkin Seed Day is Introduced

National Pumpkin Seed Day is introduced to celebrate the many uses of pumpkin seeds.