RECIPE FOR ROASTING ALMONDS RECIPES

Steps:

• Seed the pumpkin: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Using a spoon, scrape the pulp and seeds out of your pumpkin into a bowl.
• Clean the seeds: Separate the seeds from the stringy pulp, rinse the seeds in a colander under cold water, then shake dry. Don't blot with paper towels; the seeds will stick.
• Dry them: Spread the seeds in a single layer on an oiled baking sheet and roast 30 minutes to dry them out.
• Add spices: Toss the seeds with olive oil, salt and your choice of spices (see below). Return to the oven and bake until crisp and golden, about 20 more minutes.
• Sweet Toss with cinnamon and sugar (do not use salt in step 4).
• Indian Toss with garam masala; mix with currants after roasting.
• Spanish Toss with smoked paprika; mix with slivered almonds after roasting.
• Italian Toss with grated parmesan and dried oregano.
• Barbecue Toss with brown sugar, chipotle chile powder and ground cumin.

Steps:

• Preheat oven and spread nuts on trays. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread the nuts in an even layer on the baking sheet. I often use a cake tin for smaller amounts as the higher sides allow me to shake the the pan to evenly distribute them.
• Coat with oil. If you are roasting the nuts with oil, drizzle a small amount over the nuts and toss to coat evenly. Use as little oil as possible, starting with just a teaspoon or two.
• Roast in oven. Place in oven and roast for 5 minutes.
• Stir. Remove after 5 minutes and stir so that the outer nuts are moved towards the middle and the middle nuts towards the edges. If you are using a cake tin, you can gently shake it to redistribute the nuts. Return to the oven.
• Check for doneness. Check the nuts again after 3 minutes. You are looking for the color to be a few shades darker. They should start to smell nutty and you might hear them crackling. Return to the oven if needed and check again after another 3 minutes. If they need longer, give another stir. Nuts rarely take longer than 15 minutes to roast, usually closer to 8 to 12 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and cool. When the nuts are browned and smell nutty, remove from the oven and immediately transfer onto a plate or another baking sheet. Do not cool the nuts on the tray they were baked on or you will risk scorching them.