Halloween and Turkey Hacks

What To Do With Left-over Halloween Pumpkins:

Stand pumpkin upright and cut down the middle. Halves should be able to fit on a baking sheet. Place one half pumpkin, or two if they fit, cut side down on the baking sheet. Sprinkle a little water on the sheet first. Bake at 350˚F for 30-60 minutes, depending on the size. When done, the skin darkens and the pumpkin begins to collapse. Check for softness with a fork or knife. It will easily collapse when done. Remove from oven, cool about 20 minutes. Scoop pumpkin flesh away from skin. Discard skin then purée in food processor. Use this pumpkin purée to make a pumpkin pie, bread, muffins, or add to your oatmeal.

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

1 1/2 cups Pumpkin Seeds
3 tsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
finger pinch Kosher or Sea Salt
Options to Taste:
Garlic Powder
Cayenne Pepper
Seasoning Salt
Nutritional Yeast

Pre heat oven to 300˚F. While it's fine to leave some strings and pulp on your seeds (it adds flavor), clean off any major chunks. Toss pumpkin seeds in a bowl with oil and seasonings of your choice. Pumpkin seed purists will want only salt as a seasoning, but, if you're feeling adventurous, experiment and have fun with seasoning blends. Spread pumpkin seeds in a single on baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes, until golden brown, stirring occasionally.

Cooking a Turkey:

* Turkeys can range in weight from the 6 - 8 pound category to as large as 26 pounds.

Very small and super-big are not better. Best to go with a basic 12 -16 pound turkey.

* Trussing: The point of tying string around a turkey is to make the bird “round,” no wings sticking out. This prevents burning of exposed areas. Twist the wing tips, which will burn first, under themselves, using some force. Run a strand of string under the turkey's body and up each side, catching the wing tips under the string. Continue the string over to the drumsticks, catching them and the fatty tail flap; tie tightly.

Enjoy your Halloween and Turkey Days.