Pumpkin Seed Dressing

Roast ½ cup of shelled raw pumpkin seeds (stay with them and stir continuously – they burn easily!) Grind in a food processor
½ cup fresh parsley – chopped finely
Add 1 tsp of umeboshi paste (optional)
½ cup water
Juice of ½ fresh lemon or brown rice vinegar (or a bit of both)

Blend all ingredients together

Serve over blanched green vegetables (kale, spinach, napa cabbage, swiss chard, etc)

Pumpkin Seeds

Although the seeds are often discarded after carving a Jack O’Lantern, they are a very rich source of protein, with 1 oz of shelled pumpkin seeds providing 7 grams of protein!

Pumpkin seeds are also a great source of zinc and essential fatty acids, and are particularly recommended for people with prostate problems.

Pumpkin seeds are easy to prepare. Just scoop them out, wash and dry them, then drizzle with olive oil and bake on a cookie sheet at 275° for 1 to 1 ½ hours. Season with sea salt, pepper and any spices you like.

Pumpkin seeds (which are also known as “pepitas”) are available in health food and bulk stores.