Pumpkin seeds are a great addition to any diet.
They are densely packed with nutrients that help to boost your overall health.
They are also incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of ways and dishes.
They also make a great snack for eating on the go.
However, as with any fresh food, it is important to know whether the food is still good to eat.
In this article, we will look at how long raw pumpkin seeds last.
How Long Do Raw Pumpkin Seeds Last?
As with any fresh food item, pumpkin seeds can go bad over time.
The amount of time that raw pumpkin seeds stay good for depends on who you have been storing them.
If you store them at room temperature, they will last anywhere between 2 and 3 months.
It is important to make sure that the seeds are kept in a cool dry area that isn’t prone to extreme fluctuations in temperature.
To ensure that the seeds last for as long as possible, make sure that you keep them in an airtight container.
This will help to keep them, fresher, for longer.
If you store raw pumpkin seeds in the refrigerator, they can last with quality and freshness for between 6 and 12 months.
Again, they should be stored in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.
If you are preserving the raw pumpkin seeds with a view to planting them the following year, they should be stored in a plastic container that has holes in the lid to prevent moisture from building up.
Finally, if you freeze your raw pumpkin seeds, they can maintain their quality and freshness for over a year.
How Long Do Cooked Pumpkin Seeds Last?
If you have roasted or baked your pumpkin seeds, this will have a significant effect on their shelf life.
When pumpkin seeds have been baked or toasted, their shelf life drops to around 4 days to a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
If you are storing roasted or baked pumpkin seeds in the refrigerator, they should last for around a week.
Again, make sure they are in an airtight container or bag.
You can also freeze cooked pumpkin seeds.
They should last for a few months in the freezer.
How Do You Know If Pumpkin Seeds Have Gone Bad?
There are a few different ways in which you can tell if your raw pumpkin seeds have gone bad or are past their best.
Below, we will look at the most common ways of identifying bad seeds.
Appearance
This is perhaps the most obvious sign that your seeds have gone bad.
If you can see visible spores of mold on your seeds, it is a surefire sign that the seeds are past their best and shouldn’t be consumed.
Mold is something that raw pumpkin seeds are especially prone to.
If you can detect any mold on your pumpkin seeds this means that they are no longer fresh and they shouldn’t be consumed.
Taste
Sometimes, pumpkin seeds can look perfectly fine to consume from a visual standpoint.
However, if you try to eat one and it either tastes bad in some way or doesn’t taste of much at all, they have gone bad.
The rest of the seeds should not be eaten.
Smell
In general, pumpkin seeds do not smell of very much.
However, if you notice an unusual smell when opening the container, it is a good indication that the seeds have gone bad.
If you can smell them, they are no longer edible and should be discarded.
How To Store Pumpkin Seeds
Once you have opened the original packet of raw pumpkin seeds or if you have removed them from your pumpkin, it is important to store them properly.
There are three ways of storing pumpkin seeds to help them remain fresh for longer.
Airtight Container
Using an airtight container is the most effective way of keeping your pumpkin seeds as fresh as possible.
This is a method of storing them that can be used at room temperature, in the refrigerator, or in the freezer.
Plastic Bags
It is also possible to store pumpkin seeds in a plastic bag that has an airtight seal.
A good example of this is bags with a ziplock seal.
It is important to make sure that all the air has been removed from the bag before sealing it shut.
This will help to maintain freshness for longer.
Freezer Bags
An airtight freezer bag is a great option for when you are storing your seeds in the freezer.
Again, with this method, it is important to make sure that you remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Freeze Pumpkin Seeds?
Yes.
As we have mentioned above, it is possible to freeze your raw pumpkin seeds.
This can help to extend their shelf life significantly.
You can store raw pumpkin seeds in the freezer for up to a year.
Can You Get Food Poisoning From Pumpkin Seeds?
Yes.
It is possible to get food poisoning from pumpkin seeds.
If your seeds have gone bad, there is a chance that they will make you sick.
If you suspect that your pumpkin seeds are past their best due to their appearance, taste, or smell, it is best not to eat them.
Can You Eat Raw Pumpkin Seeds?
It is perfectly safe to eat raw pumpkin seeds, either straight from the pumpkin or purchased in a store.
However, it is important that you don’t eat too many as raw pumpkin seeds are higher in antinutrients than roasted pumpkin seeds.
Eating too many can affect the absorption of nutrients from other foods.
Final Thoughts
Pumpkin seeds are a nutritious and delicious food that can be enjoyed as a snack or as part of a larger meal.
There are multiple ways to store pumpkin seeds to help them last for as long as possible, even as long as a year.
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- ¾ cup pumpkin seeds raw
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika optional
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius).
- To remove the pulp and fibers from the pumpkin seeds, wash them in a colander. Dry completely with a towel.
- Combine pumpkin seeds, olive oil, salt, garlic powder, paprika (if using), and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Grease a sheet pan lightly with olive oil. Spread the seasoned pumpkin seeds evenly over the sheet pan.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the seeds are roasted and crunchy. To ensure even toasting, stir every 5 minutes and check for doneness with each stir by tasting a seed for crunchiness.
- Place the roasted pumpkin seeds in a basin to cool.
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.