You have selected a prize-winning pumpkin, spent hours creating a Halloween masterpiece, and now you are preparing to defend your vegetable turned decor from squirrels and bored teenagers. The question remains: what can you do with the pounds of pumpkin seeds you removed from your masterfully carved pumpkin? You can always season and bake them, or you could use them to make two sweet treats:

1) You could use your seeds to make Pumpkin Seed Oatmeal Cookies

1 3/4 cups brown rice flour
3/4 tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup canola oil
3/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
2/3 cup dried shredded coconut
3/4 cup pumpkins seeds

Preheat your over to 350F. Combine flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl medium-sized bowl combine oil, syrup, vanilla, vinegar, and coconut - whisk until emulsified. Pour wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly mixed. Fold in the oats until evenly combined. Drop 1 tbsp of cookie dough onto greased cookie sheet, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove cookies from sheet and allow them to cool on a rack.

2) You could roast your seeds and use them to make Pumpkin Seed Brittle that you can freeze and serve as a garnish for Pumpkin Pies

1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

In a heavy skillet combine sugar and water and cook over medium-low heat, stirring and combining sugar with a brush dipped in cold water until sugar dissolves. Simmer while tilting a rotating pan (do not stir) until the mixture develops a deep caramel color. Stir in toasted pumpkin seeds, stirring until coated well. Pour the mixture onto a onto a buttered piece of foil and spread it evenly. Allow to cool completely and break into pieces.

As far as defending your pumpkin's honor, there is a rumor that mixing a little cayenne pepper, vegetable oil, and water in a spray bottle and misting it over the pumpkins will ward off evil, furry pumpkin pillagers. As far as bored teenagers? Maybe put up a sign warning: "Those in violation of pumpkin smashing will be subjected to yard work."