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Sweet, Salty & Satisfying Pumpkin Cranberry Trail Mix

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It’s about that time of year where I need to eat a little crow.

Pumpkin Cranberry Trail Mix. A sweet, salty and satisfying combo to titillate your taste buds.

Not the actual bird of course; that’d be gross. Besides my furry friends, also known as felines, handle that aspect of life for me. They hunt, they kill, they behead some things, and then the Hubby cleans it all up. They may as well be Paleo, except for Max of course, who always had a thing for grains. No surprise really; he took after his human mama. We love those things.  

So I’m not sure how I got onto diets, cats or crows, but that certainly wasn’t my intent. My bad. 

Instead, I’m here today with my tail tucked between my legs (proverbial of course), my head bowed low and my pride stuck somewhere deep in my throat.

I come today bearing a pumpkin recipe.

Pumpkin Cranberry Trail Mix. A sweet, salty and satisfying combo to titillate your taste buds.

Oh, the horror.

The anti-squash Queen has jumped ship, spiraled down into the abyss, through Alice’s looking glass without the benefit of magic mushrooms, and entered the dark side; the pumpkin side.  

To be clear, I still don’t think pumpkin is the cats pajamas, nor will I ever understand the fuss.

What I do know though is I have few stashed in cool dark corner of my basement, thanks to my beloved CSA through Geauga Family Farms. Eventually, I will get around to doing something with those same pumpkins, after of course I tackle the potatoes, the acorns, the spaghetti and the butternut. Now if that something pumpkin turns out to be any good, I’ll probably share it on the blog. In the meantime, I’m not holding my breath.

Pumpkin Cranberry Trail Mix. A sweet, salty and satisfying combo to titillate your taste buds.

I also know while the pumpkin flesh is kind of meh, the seeds are fantastic. Those bad boys are nutritional powerhouses and should be given a medal or at least used in a recipe, so you can house all that goodness.   

I’m going to steal a page from Lindsay’s book and share some Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds because they really are rock stars in their own right, and I’d happily give them two snaps and a twirl.

  • While high in calories, pumpkin seeds are a great source of plant-based protein (pounds chest), fats (the healthy kind), and fiber, and we all know fiber is our friend. It’s what keeps us fuller longer, meaning a little goes a long way.
  • Pumpkin seeds are a notable source of potassium, magnesium, iron, and zinc, which helps boost our immune system. Holler for good physical health.
  • They also contain the amino acids tryptophan and glutamate, which assist in regulating depression, stress and anxiety. Bonus points for mental health.
There’s plenty more health benefits, but I’ll stop there so I can give you the actual recipe instead. This is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, satisfying and cinnamon-y; yes I’m making up words now. One bite of this and you’ll forgive my lascivious word ways. You’ll also understand why I finally went pumpkin.
 
Pumpkin Cranberry Trail Mix. A sweet, salty and satisfying combo to titillate your taste buds.
 
Sweet, Salty & Satisfying Pumpkin Cranberry Trail Mix
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Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
40 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
40 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 cup raw Pumpkin Seeds
  2. 1 1/2 tsp. Olive Oil
  3. 2 Tbsp. pure Maple Syrup
  4. 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
  5. 1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
  6. 1/4 tsp. Salt
  7. 1/8 tsp. Allspice
  8. 1 1/4 cups dried Cranberries
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, mix 1 cup of raw pumpkin seeds with 1 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil. After mixing, spread them on a cookie sheet (no need to grease this one) and then bake them for 20 minutes until almost dry.
  3. Remove the seeds from the oven and put them back in the small mixing bowl. Add the following: 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt and 1/8 teaspoon of ground allspice. Mix it all together.
  4. After mixing, spread it back out on the baking sheet , where it goes back into the oven for another 15 minutes. Stir the pumpkin seeds at least once to prevent burning. After 15 minutes, or when completely dry, remove from the oven and let cool for at least 30 minutes before adding 1 and 1/4 cup of dried cranberries.
Adapted from Total Beauty
Adapted from Total Beauty
Clean Eats, Fast Feets http://cleaneatsfastfeets.com/
Pumpkin Cranberry Trail Mix. A sweet, salty and satisfying combo to titillate your taste buds.  
Do pumpkin seeds (pepitas) really count as a pumpkin recipe? Should I turn in my anti-pumpkin badge and letter of resignation now? Is it possible I’m being overtly dramatic? (Never!)

Comments

  4. Lilly says

    Okay so I literally just put in my wiaw post that I’m not a huge trail mix fan. This could be the end to that… Thanks for jumping over to the dark side for us!

    Reply

  8. Amanda @ .running with spoons. says

    Even before reading the questions at the end of your post, I was going to say that pumpkin seeds don’t -really- count as a pumpkin recipe, so I think you’re still safe in that regard 😛 And I’m seriously loving all the ingredients in this trail mix. Pumpkin seeds and cranberries are an awesome combo, and the only thing that would make this better is the addition of chocolate chips, imho.
    Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. 14 must-try healthy and comforting muffin recipes .My Profile

    Reply

  9. Tara says

    Ooh, I love me some pumpkin seeds and this looks like fall in a bowl! Glad to see you’re turning over to the dark side. I actually don’t really like pumpkin itself at all, but I am truly basic in my pumpkin spice addiction. I try to downplay it like it’s only about coffee and beer…but really, I’ll give anything pumpkin spice a shot. Too bad I don’t like actual pumpkin, which has, ya know, actual health benefits.

    Reply

  15. Brittany says

    I KNEW there was more to that Alice in Wonderland mural….This seriously looks so good. I love, LOVE pumpkin seeds and I eat them almost daily because they sit well in my gut. Well done my anti-pumpkin friend.
    Brittany recently posted…Fall FoMo No MoreMy Profile

    Reply

    • Meghan says

      After I published this, I thought, Oh man, I could have joined Amanda’s pumpkin week, and then I realized since I mocked it the majority of the post, that might not have gone over so well. Oops, although I fully intend to try that bread you shared on IG yesterday when I do get around to roasting my pumpkins. It looked phenomenal.

      Reply

  17. Jen @ Chase the Red Grape says

    Now this is my kind of trail mix! I love pumpkin seeds, especially scattered in my soup – amazing flavour.
    I don’t think you have turned to the dark side at all – seeds don’t count 😛 And to be fair, when you do eventually use those pumpkins in your basement you will already be way ahead as your actually using it in season and fresh (rather than from a tin!). Fresh = seasonal, tinned is not! (sorry… rant over…haha)
    Jen @ Chase the Red Grape recently posted…5 Top Tips on a Tuesday – How to let veggies shine!My Profile

    Reply

    • Meghan says

      That is true. Last year (or was it two years ago now), when I made pumpkin pie, I used the real deal for my puree: roasted it, toasted it, scooped it. Start to finish it was all pumpkin.

      Yes! Seeds don’t count. Glad to see you’re in agreement. I’m in the clear. 🙂

      Reply

  18. Juli @1000lovelythings says

    First I though OH MY GOD (in that nasty Janice from Friends voice) the dark side of the force has gotten their orange hands on Meg! But to be honest that doesn’t count! You certainly haven’t compromised yourself.

    But I love the sound of it and I am goint to make this hopefully on Sunday. I think this trail mix would be very nice sprinkled over some cinnamony oatmeal. And I am making up words all the time. In both languages!
    Juli @1000lovelythings recently posted…Being CreativeMy Profile

    Reply

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