The Best Tool for Removing Pumpkin and Squash Seeds

Whether you’re carving mini pumpkins into Jack-o-lanterns or just prepping some butternut squash, scraping out of the seeds and stringy bits around them can be an annoying task. But did you know you can use a kitchen tool you probably already have in your gadget drawer to make the whole process much, much easier?

I used to haul out a regular spoon when it came time to remove seeds out of hard winter squash and pumpkins, but it never seemed to do a good job. The spoon’s dull edges just seemed to scrape along the sides without actually removing anything or cutting through the slimy strings.

Turns out the best tool is one usually reserved for summer melons: the humble melon baller! This little guy is the perfect tool for scooping out seeds and the fibrous bits around them — its thin but sturdy construction easily cuts through the strings and breaks them up, leaving little behind.

The deeply rounded shape of the scoop also means that seeds stay in there instead of flying out of the squash and hitting the walls, floor, or you! And since the melon baller doesn’t actually have sharp edges that can cut you, even kids can pitch in and help with this step.

Any other good tips for us for removing seeds and strings?