What are pepitas?

Q: I received a bag of pepitas and want to know what they are. -- Fran Palmer, Rockport, Mass.

A: Pepitas are pumpkin seeds, dried out and usually roasted. They can come salted or unsalted; they're fabulous as a snack on their own, cooked into brittles or sprinkled in salads with juicy stone fruit.

Try hollowing out pumpkins, washing the seeds of any clinging pulp and then drying them out in a low oven for about 20 minutes or so. To flavor them, toss with spices, salt and oil, and roast for 10 minutes at about 375.

(For more information, visit www.foodnetwork.com or write Ask Food Network c/o Viewer Services Culinary Department, Scripps Networks, PO Box 50970, Knoxville, TN 37950.)