Some cooks like to roast their pumpkin seeds in the oven, and some like to toast them in a skillet (frying pan).  Here are two simple recipes that tell you how:

Ingredients
Pumpkin seeds
A little olive oil
Coarse salt

Method
1.  Put the pumpkin seeds into a colander, and rinse under cold running water.

2.  Drain, and then dry the seeds well on paper towel.

3.  Lightly oil a cookie sheet.

4.  Spread out the pumpkin seeds in a single layer on the cookie sheet.

5.  Sprinkle with salt.

6.  Toss to lightly coat with the oil and the salt.

7.  Turning occasionally bake in the oven at 350 degrees, until the seeds are puffed and browned.

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Ingredients
Pumpkin seeds
A little olive oil, or vegetable oil
Coarse salt
Pepper

Method
1.  Heat a little oil in a skillet (frying pan)

2.  Add the pumpkin seeds.

3.  Turning frequently cook until brown – this doesn’t take very long.

4.  When done remove from the heat and drain the seeds on paper towel.

5.  Place the pumpkin seeds in a small bowl, season with salt and  pepper, and toss until lightly coated.

We hope you try, and enjoy, these easy pepitas recipes.  Happy Halloween!

Here’s some quick finger food ideas:

• Tea sandwiches – English cucumber sandwiches, or cream cheese and smoked salmon sandwiches, are always a favorite.

• Canapés – crackers, or small pieces of buttered bread or toast cut in to shapes, and topped with foods like blue cheese blended with butter, make great snacks for parties.

• Cheese straws

• Breadsticks

• Olives – why not serve different kinds of olives in a pretty glass bowl.

• Fruit platters – seedless grapes, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, mandarins, and cherries, all work really well.

• Cruditiés with a homemade or store bought dip – sticks of carrot, celery, and cucumber, plus cherry tomatoes, and cauliflower florets, served with a sour cream and chive dip, would be a good choice.

• Tortilla chips

• Crusty baguettes – sliced on an angle and buttered

• Crackers

• Paté

• Salad – lettuce, cherry tomatoes, English cucumber – peeled and thinly sliced, scallions (green onions or spring onions), plus small chunks of red, yellow and green pepper, make a tasty selection.

• Cheese board – cheddar, brie, gorgonzola and  blue stilton,  are just a few of the fine cheeses you could pick.

• Radishes arranged on a bed of sea salt, and served with slices of buttered baguette.

• Nuts – shelled walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds, and cashews work well.

• Figs – stemmed and quartered.

• Individually wrapped candy or chocolates – these are always a hit with party guests.

• Meat platters – slices of roast beef and ham are sure to please.

• Pickles

Melon on toothpicks
To make you will need
1 cantaloupe melon
1 charantais melon, or a melon or watermelon of your choice
Melon baller
Toothpicks (cocktail sticks)

How to
First cut the melons in half, and discard the seeds.  Then, using a melon baller, scoop out as much of the flesh as you reasonably can.  Now simply thread one or two melon balls onto a toothpick – repeat until you have as many appetizers as you need.  Serve chilled.

Here’s a couple of variations on this easy party food idea
*  Halve a cantaloupe melon, and scoop out the seeds.  Next cut each half into 6 wedges.  Remove the peel.  Then cut the melon wedges into bite-size chunks.  Now, wrap a thin strip of Parma ham around each melon chunk, and secure with a toothpick.

*  Halve a charantais melon.  Then remove the pips and fibers.  Now cut the melon into slices.  Remove the skin, then cut the flesh of the melon into bite-size cubes.  Next wrap each melon cube in smoked salmon and pierce with a toothpick.

Incidentally, sprigs of mint, lemon wedges, arugula (rocket) leaves, or black olives, make a nice decoration for a melon ball, a melon chunk and Parma ham, or a charantais melon cube wrapped in smoked salmon, platter.

Cooks tip
You can often find charantais melons in supermarkets or at farmers’ markets.  Charantais melons are small melons, with a pale green to cream skin.  They have deep orange colored flesh.  And they’re just perfect for making easy hors d’oeuvres.

Have you tried crostini appetizers? Crostinis are really easy to make and they can be topped with all sorts of yummy things like tuna or cheese.

If you don’t know how to make crostinis it’s easy.

Here’s how in 7 easy steps:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

2. Slice a baguette on the diagonal.

3. Brush each slice (on both sides) with olive oil.

4. Put the baguette slices in a single layer on a baking sheet

5. Bake until pale golden brown.

6. Then turn over the slices and cook until this side is pale golden brown too.

7. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool.

Why not have a go at these tasty little treats. With a topping of your choice crostini appetizers are great for parties, hungry teenagers, or for an anytime snack.

Ingredients
4 ounces of butter (at room temperature)
1 ounce of soft blue cheese

‘Cooking Instructions’
1. In a bowl blend together the butter and the blue cheese.

2. Spread on to crackers or crostinis.

3. Serve and eat.