I remember carving pumpkins with my mom for Halloween when I was younger. Using a stenciled design and a pumpkin carving tool kit, I loved poking holes through the flesh of that pumpkin. That was the fun part. The not so fun part was scooping out the insides; seeds and lots of slimy pulp. We never wasted the seeds though, my mom would roast them with just a little bit of salt. I thought it was weird, she loved them. Come to think of it, she could have been the seed queen!

I actually know the seed queen and it’s not my mom, her name is Kathie Pelliccio. She is the founder of SuperSeedz, a CT based company that produces a variety of gourmet pumpkin seeds. I, officially, met her and her husband, Joe, at Shoreline’s Wine Festival held annually at Bishop’s Orchard in Branford, CT. Their faces were familiar to me, I had seen them at my local gym on a regular basis. Little did I know they made delicious seeds, locally. A conversation later and a bulk purchase of seedz, a friendship was created. This year I ran into them again at a different festival, the Green Festival in New York at the Javits Center. I was so happy to see them! From CT to NY promoting their SuperSeedz, I was proud to be from CT. Seeing them inspired me to keep thriving to get my name out there. After all, SuperSeedz was created in a cast iron skillet in a kitchen, and is now available all over, all it took was an idea; I have many ideas.

My post wouldn’t be complete without me kicking my knowledge about pumpkin seeds to you. Did you know they are also referred to as pepitas? They are a leading source of plant-based protein, just a handful is equivalent to 8 grams! Magnesium, Zinc and Omega 3’s make them an ideal dietary choice for high blood pressure and heart health. Super seeds they are indeed, providing immunity, happiness(no, really. Thanks to tryptophan), metabolism boosters and antioxidants. These are more than enough reasons to try them in their unshelled form, not in a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. However, SuperSeedz are now available at Starbucks so, choose those over your sugar laden latte next time. Check out their website to pick out your new favorite flavored pumpkin seed: https://www.superseedz.com/

I recently discovered coconut bites. They are coconut flakes with chia seeds, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. They are amazingly delicious! Any way you can get your seeds, whether its baked or in a salad, do it!