what are pepitas

Pepitas are a type of pumpkin seed that come from specific hulless pumpkin varieties, known as Styrian or Oil Seed pumpkins. They are often eaten as a snack and are a common ingredient in Mexican cuisine. Pepitas are packed full of nutrients, including iron, zinc, manganese, phosphorous, and magnesium, and are a low-calorie snack. They can be roasted and seasoned and taste great as a garnish on salads or as an addition to granola. Pepitas add a depth of flavor and texture to salsa and dips, and they can even be made into seed butter for those who can’t eat nuts. Pepitas are different from pumpkin seeds in that they are a variety of pumpkin seeds without a shell that can be harvested from specific hulless pumpkin varieties. Pumpkin seeds, on the other hand, are generally found in markets or pumpkin patches and come from what are called hull-less pumpkins, meaning their seeds do not have shells.