Pumpkins are one of Mother Nature’s many gifts.  It is easy to take this gift for granted especially, when we see them adorning walkways and porches in honor of Halloween.   In fact many of us throw out the most important part of the pumpkin, the seed.  Pumpkin seeds are one of nature’s perfect foods.  The nutritional value of pumpkinseeds makes them a powerhouse of nutrients packed with most of the B vitamins, as well as C, D, E, and K. They contain essential minerals including magnesium, calcium, potassium, niacin, zinc and phosphorous.  Holistic practitioners have used Pumpkin seeds for centuries to eliminate various types of intestinal parasites, support male reproductive health, and aid in digestion.  In recent years many herbal or “folk” remedies have come under the scrutiny of modern western medicine.  I am please to report that Pumpkin seeds continue to withstand the tests of clinical trial.  Studies have found that Pumpkinseeds can assist in treating enlarged prostates, reduce the occurrence of kidney stones, has anti-inflammatory properties, and improve bladder & urethra function.  Some even say it can help lower cholesterol.

How to eat them? Well you put them in your mouth of course.   But, they really should be consumed whole, shells and all. You did read that right, whole, shells and all.  I have tried to do this a few times (ok twice to be exact) and let’s just say it was not exactly a pleasant dining experience.  I wanted to reap the benefits of pumpkin seeds and I have found that there is pumpkin seed oil (which should be refrigerated) or pumpkin seed supplements that are pills which you can find at your local health food store or online.  Pumpkin seeds and their supplements have been known to motivate the digestive system if you catch my drift.  You may want to limit the amount you ingest the first time.

How to make your own pumpkin seeds. If you find yourself hollowing out a pumpkin and think better of wasting those little gems you can simply wash them and place them on a cookie sheet and lightly roast them at 160-170ºF for 15-20 minutes. Roasting them for a short time at a lower temperature can preserve their healthy oils.   I would recommend that you store them in an air tight container in the refrigerator.

Roasted or toasted pumpkins seeds are a nutritional powerhouse and no matter how you sneak them into you diet your body will thank you.

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In this issue I will share my Coven’s favorite Samhain recipes.  We will bake with pumpkin and make a wonderful cocoa.

Samhain, the Witch’s New Year.  It is the third and final Harvest Festival.  It is a time for contemplation, looking back as well as looking forward.  Perfect timing for all kinds of divination.  It’s a special time to remember and honor our recently departed loved ones and to look farther back and honor our ancestors.  The veil that separates the world of the living with that of the dead is at it’s thinnest this won’t happen again until Beltane.  This is why divination is especially clear and why the possibility of communicating with the other side is easier.  Please enjoy them and if you have any of your own you’d like to share please email them to me.  That is unless you all want to see the same recipes for Samhain next year.  Please send any of your Thanksgiving and Yule recipes now as I will start working on those issues soon and not just those, send any Sabbat and or holiday recipes you are willing to share for any time of the year.  I like being a bit ahead of  the game.  You can email me at dea7887@yahoo.com

With that I give your Samhain.

Till next month,
Carpe Noctum,
Dea, of The Descendants of the Flame

I would like to share with you a recipe for Samhain Cocoa that has been in my family for many generations.  It is warm and rich and as you close your eyes and smell it’s spicy goodness let your mind drift to those who gave so much so that we might walk our paths without fear.

Samhain Cocoa

¼ C. cocoa powder
¼ tsp. cinnamon
¼ C. sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla
1/3 C. hot water
Dash of sea salt
4 C. milk

Magical attributes
Cocoa- love, passion, power, wisdom
cinnamon- protection and love
vanilla – love and wellness

In a saucepan bring to a boil cocoa, salt, sugar and water.  Stir constantly for 2 minutes.  Add milk and stir till well heated but do not boil.  Remove from heat and add cinnamon and vanilla.  Beat with a whisk.

This is one of the most anticipated meal of the year.  Meal in a pumpkin.  Not only is it beautiful it is delicious.

Meal in a pumpkin

Medium sized pumpkin (4lbs)
1 tsp. sea salt
1 ½ lbs. lean ground beef
1 tsp. seasoned salt
¾ C. bell pepper, chopped
½ tsp. pepper
1/3 C. celery, chopped
¼ C. soy sauce
1 C. onion, chopped
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 T. brown sugar
2 C. rice, cooked

Magical attributes
Pumpkin- fertility and plenty
Sea salt- spice of life, purifying
rice- prosperity

Using a knife cut a lid in the pumpkin, scoop out seeds and excess membrane.  In a large skillet combine ground beef, green peppers, celery, and onion.  Cook until beef is browned, then drain.  Add remaining ingredients, mix well.  Place mixture into pumpkin, put lid on pumpkin and place on a foil lined cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees F. for about 2 ½ hours.  To serve, scoop out part of the baked pumpkin along with the meat/rice mixture.

This recipe has been circulated around the web for many years.  I don’t know the source.  I am sharing them with you because I think they will add to your Samhain celebration.

Rosemary Remembrance Cookies

1 1/2 C. powdered sugar
1 C. unsalted butter, softened
1 lrg. egg
2 tsp. pure vanilla
1 tsp. almond extract
2 1/2 C. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 1/2 T. chopped rosemary

Magical attributes
rosemary- protection and remembrance
vanilla- wellness and love
almond- prosperity

Heat oven 375 degrees F. In a large bowl, beat sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, almond extract, and rosemary until creamy. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Fold flour mixture into sugar mixture. Beat until dough forms and refrigerate for three hours. Divide dough into halves. Roll out one portion to 3/16 of an inch on a floured surface. Cut out with Samhain cookie cutters. and place on an un-greased cookie sheet. Repeat rolling and cutting with second portion. Bake for 5-7 minutes.

My Witchlings have been making these cookies for 13 years.  They are very tasty and wonderful.  Witchlings love to make these pumpkin seeds after making Jack-o-lanterns.

Neeko and David’s Pumpkin Seeds

2 C. pumpkin seeds, washed and towel dried
2 tsp. oil
1tsp. Sea salt

Magical attributes
Pumpkin- fertility and plenty
Sea salt- spice of life, purifying

Add oil to towel dried seeds, mix to coat.  Spread out on a cookie sheet and sprinkle with sea salt.  Bake at 250 degrees F. stirring to turn seeds from time to time.  Bake until crisp and slightly brown.