A Little Crunch for Fall: Celebrating National Pumpkin Seed Day 🎃🐾

By Pamela Schmidlin

Doggone Healthy Choices with Pam and Freedom

Pumpkins get plenty of attention in October. They decorate our doorsteps, appear in recipes, and somehow find their way into just about everything.

But today, October 7, we’re giving the seeds their moment. Happy National Pumpkin Seed Day!

Full disclosure: I don’t currently have pumpkin seeds in my kitchen. This observance has given me a reason to put them on my shopping list—and think about how a small addition could bring some crunch to a familiar meal.

Freedom, of course, holds the position of kitchen supervisor. No meal preparation escapes her attention.

Small seeds, useful nutrients

Pumpkin seeds offer plant protein, unsaturated fats, and minerals such as magnesium and zinc. For those of us eating plant-based meals, they’re another way to add variety to the foods we already enjoy.

You don’t need an elaborate recipe to use them. A sprinkle can be the finishing touch on an everyday meal.

Here are a few combinations to try:

Oatmeal: Add pumpkin seeds alongside sliced apples and cinnamon.

A rice bowl: Sprinkle them over rice, tofu, and vegetables.

Soup: Add them just before serving for a crunchy topping.

Salad: Pair them with greens, beans, and your favorite dressing.

For my own kitchen, a rice, tofu, and vegetable bowl sounds like an easy place to start. Familiar ingredients, one new topping, and no complicated cooking project.

What should I look for at the store?

For an easy topping, I’ll look for shelled pumpkin seeds, often sold as pepitas. Plain, unsalted varieties give me flexibility to use them in either sweet or savory meals.

My label-reading habit comes along on this shopping trip, too. I’ll check the ingredients and serving size rather than assume every bag is the same.

Can our dogs join the celebration?

Dogs can eat plain pumpkin seeds in small amounts, but preparation matters. PetMD recommends roasting and grinding them so they’re easier to chew and swallow. Choose seeds without added salt or seasoning, and check with your veterinarian about an appropriate amount for your dog.

They’re an optional treat, rather than a necessary addition to a complete, balanced dog food. Freedom can also celebrate simply by keeping me company while I prepare my meal. Kitchen supervision is important work!

One small thing to try

A food holiday can be a fun invitation to try something different. It doesn’t have to mean buying a cupboard full of ingredients or changing your entire routine.

Sometimes, it’s just a little crunch on top of a meal you already love.

Do you enjoy pumpkin seeds? Tell me how you use them—on oatmeal, in a salad, or straight from the bag?

Building a healthier, happier life alongside your dog—one foot, one paw at a time

Until tomorrow have a happy and healthy tail wagging day,

Welcome to Pumpkin season,

Pam and Freedom