Mike’s Favorite Things – Halloween Edition: The Epic Rise of Mac & Cheese Pumpkin Seeds

Ah, Halloween in Southfield—a time of spectral spooks, sugary loot, and, courtesy of my childhood dentist neighbor, dental hygiene party favors. While other kids on the block dodged toothbrushes in favor of tooth-decaying delights (big ups to the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup People), my Halloween heart belonged to the simpler joy of pumpkin seeds. Yes, folks, just plain old salted pumpkin seeds.

But hold onto your hats (and brooms), because this isn’t just a nostalgic nod to those salt-speckled morsels of the past. We're turning the snack game on its head with a Weinstein original: Mac & Cheese Pumpkin Seeds. Before you doubt the sanity of mixing a beloved cheesy classic with the humble pumpkin seed, let me assure you, it's a concoction so good it’s spooky!

The Ingredients of Innovation

• 10 plump pumpkins (for optimal seed harvest and jack-o’-lantern potential)
• 6 mega-sized boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese (accept no substitutes, this is cheesy business)
• 1 cup of whole milk (because we're wholeheartedly into this)
• 1 stick of real butter (margarine need not apply)
• 1/2 cup of Kosher salt (for that hauntingly good crunch)
• 2 or 3 deep-walled aluminum pans (because we’re diving deep into flavor town)

Spooktacular Seed Prep: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Pumpkin Gutting: Carve those pumpkins with a gleeful spirit. Aim for designs that scream Halloween! Extract the seeds, and don’t fret about a bit of goo (or pumpkin snot, as I like to call it)—it adds character (and flavor!). Let the seeds dry out on kitchen towels; this isn't a rush job.
2. Boil the Bewitched Seeds: Preheat your oven to 250 degrees and bring a large cauldron of water to a boil. Yes, we're getting witchy with it! Boil the seeds for 5 minutes to soften their spirits.
3. Cheesy Alchemy: Strain the seeds and return them to the cauldron. Stir in the milk, butter, and four packets of the golden powdered cheese (Save two packets for the baking process). Keep the concoction on the heat until the butter melts and the mixture thickens into a velvety potion.
4. Baking the Magic: Pour the seeds into your prepared pans, spreading them about half an inch thick. Salt them according to your spectral preference and slide them into the oven.
5. The Crucial Stir and Taste Test: Stir the seeds every ten minutes, tasting as you go. Feel free to sprinkle in extra two packets of cheese powder for an intensified flavor. They should turn a ghoulish golden brown without succumbing to the burn.
6. Final Transformation: You'll know they're ready when the kitchen smells like a cheesy paradise and the liquid has nearly vanished.

And voilà! What emerges from your oven are not mere seeds, but golden nuggets of Halloween perfection. From a simple childhood treat to a gourmet delight, these Mac & Cheese Pumpkin Seeds are set to become a legendary Halloween tradition in the Weinstein household.
​
So, this Halloween, while the goblins gobble up candies and the witches brew their potions, why not whip up a batch of these devilishly delightful seeds? They're guaranteed to cast a cheesy spell on your festive celebrations!

---