Pumpkin Seed Country Bread for Gathering One's Strength | Sara's Kitchen Witchcraft

When it comes to cucurbits, pumpkins are the clear kings.

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It' goes without saying that pumpkin is one of the most iconic flavors of the fall season, and therefore a great source of magic of all kinds. However, not everyone can get behind the flavors of pumpkin—whether in curries or desserts—and so they may find themselves leaving this delicious squash out of their meal plans entirely. A shame, since there's so much to love about these fruits (and their seeds)!

That's why today, we've got a recipe that can bring those hearty, earthy autumn flavors out to play without reminding us of any of the traditional pumpkin taste. With this Slovenian bread, full of pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil, we find a way to make use of the parts of the pumpkin that most people just end up throwing out. Pumpkin seed oil, especially, might not be something you're familiar with, but this rich, dark oil is packed with nutrients that'll help you perk yourself up (and, of course, the richness of it and the other seeds will help you grow your strength). From magnesium to iron, selenium to beta carotene, and all kinds of other wonderful benefits, the seeds of the pumpkin can help you regain your energy even from a mundane standpoint.

As we look to raise our energy for the last stint of the year, it's through hearty, nutrient-dense foods that we'll get there not only physically, but magically. It's also through some really sharp roots, warming spices, and other good things—so you can bet that our theme of raising energy this month will be delicious! This time, we're looking at the corn, pumpkin seeds, wheat flour, and instant yeast to derive our magic from.

Magic in Pumpkin Seed Country Bread

People always think of seeds as having to do with money, but the reality is that the concepts often showing up in magic—fertility, luck, and abundance—don't only have to do with baby-making or getting rich. It also has to do with raising energy in that you're finding the things you need to allow your magic, will, and strength to go from dormant to bursting out of its shell. Seeds are a sign of new beginnings, wishes we're seeing through to the end, and hope, and that's the kind of thing that'll make this bread a treat for all who eat it.

When it comes to raising energy, we might think of it like sprouting a formerly dormant seed. Where there was nothing before, no life or activity, there’s suddenly a new, tender green sprout, and all the potential it brings. This bread is earth-heavy, and it’s full of the things that not only remind us how beautiful and lucky life can be, but also help us find our fighting spirit and ambition as we set our sights on future harvests. Plant in this bread the seeds of motivation, passion, and power to see your dreams come to life!

Pumpkin Seed Country Bread

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cook time: 40-50

Makes 2-3 servings

Ingredients:

• 400g bread flour

• 400g wheat flour

• 200g corn meal

• 20g instant yeast

• 20g salt

• 150g unsalted pumpkin seeds

• 50ml neutral oil

• 50ml pumpkin seed oil

• 600ml warm water

Directions:

1. Mix your dry ingredients (except for yeast and salt) together in a large bowl.

2. Put the yeast on one side of the bowl, the salt on the other side.

3. Add your water and oil, then mix the whole thing together until a ball forms.

4. Knead the dough for at least two minutes to fully hydrate all the flour.

5. Put it in a warm place and let rise until doubled in size, about 2 1/2 hours.

6. Remove it from the warm place, then punch it down and knead it again.

7. Shape it into a taught ball, then flip it over and fold it into a bread shape.

8. Let rise another 30-60min, until doubled again.

9. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

10. Bake in a Dutch oven or in two bread pans, covered for 35min, uncovered for 15min.*

*If the bread gets brown too quickly, recover it to keep it from burning.

This is a delicious loaf for all kinds of sandwiches. I find the pumpkin seeds give almost a popcorn quality to the bread, which is great with lunch meats, eggs on toast, or any other delicious, hearty meal you could think to quickly whip up—especially on those low energy days. Give this a try and have yourself some revitalizing bread for the week ahead! ♥

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Sara Raztresen is a Slovene-American writer, screenwriter, and Christian witch. Her fantasy works draw heavily on the wisdom she gathers from her own personal and spiritual experience, and her spiritual practice borrows much of the whimsy and wonder that modern society has relegated to fairy-and-folktale. Her goal is to help people regain their spiritual footing and discover God through a new (yet old) lens of mysticism.

Follow Sara on Tiktok, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube, and explore her fiction writing here.