the chill in the air is a friendly reminder that Thanksgiving is around the corner. this time of year is rich with traditions – many of which we celebrate en masse.
lately, i’ve been thinking about the traditions we celebrate in our own home & how integral they are to our lives. things like decorating the house, the “must-watch” movies, and the gatherings of relatives we may not see for another year. my FAVORITE traditions, though, are the ones that bring us into the kitchen and engage us in creating something together.
of course, october means pumpkins – and pumpkin carving. we usually do this multiple times over the course of the month, and this year was no different. along with pumpkin carving comes scraping & seeding; and then the toasting of the seeds in the oven.
last year we tried a new recipe with our toasty treasures – pumpkin seed brittle! it has been added to the “must make” list for years to come.
pumpkin seed brittle recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 2/3 cup water
- 2/3 cup light corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup toasted (lightly salted) pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons water
Directions:
1) Generously butter a 12×18 inch cookie sheet. Set aside.
2) Combine salt, vanilla, baking soda and water in a small bowl and set aside close by.
3) Heat sugar, water, and corn syrup in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Stir well and bring to a slow boil. Stir frequently until temperature reaches 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
4) Add butter and pumpkin seeds to skillet. Continue cooking until mixture turns a caramel color. Remove from heat.
5) Add the salt, vanilla, baking soda and water mixture; mix well and fast.
6) Pour onto prepared cookie sheet. Use back of buttered spoon to spread thinly and evenly. Allow to cool completely. Break into pieces.
* Store in an airtight container
it seems that traditions last because they bring us together, and cause us to interact with each other – stimulate our senses and create lasting memories.
