Here’s How Long Those Raw Pumpkin Seeds Last

October is my favorite time of year. Spooky movies, haunted houses, just as spooky food—there’s so much to love about this month! But what I also love is going to the pumpkin patch. Nothing is better than getting together with friends and family and picking out pumpkins to carve together! Some of my fondest memories are of my brother and I sitting in the kitchen at my Nana’s house scooping out the pumpkin guts and teasing each other with how gross it was. However, before we threw the guts out, the one thing my mom always urged us to do was save those pumpkin seeds for roasting. But I always wondered—just how long could we save the seeds for before having to get rid of them?

How Long Do Unroasted Pumpkin Seeds Last?

Unfortunately, I learned the hard way that raw pumpkin seeds can go bad pretty quickly: I carved Jack-'o-Lanterns with my roommates in college and insisted we roast them, but time got away from me. After a couple of days, I discovered they had grown mold all over and were completely unusable. So, if you’re like me and want to wait a couple days to roast pumpkin seeds, the window is 2 to 3 days.

How to Store Raw Pumpkin Seeds

Before roasting, you’ll want to ensure they’re stored properly. Wash off the pulp and refrigerate your pumpkin seeds in an airtight container. You can also freeze your pumpkin seeds, but you’ll want to make sure you dry them completely before storing them away.

How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds

Now that you know how to properly store your seeds, it’s time to roast them! The fun lies in playing with the seasonings, but here’s a basic roasting method:

• Toss the clean, dry seeds in butter (or oil) and seasonings.
• Arrange the sheets on a baking sheet.
• Bake until golden brown.