Pumpkin Seeds (Bezr Lakteen)

Pumpkin seeds, known in Lebanon as bezr lakteen, are the flat, oval seeds of the pumpkin or squash. Listed here under raw nuts, they can be roasted at home with a pinch of salt and enjoyed as a snack, the way bezr is often cracked and shared during gatherings and long evenings. Pumpkin seeds are also sprinkled over salads, soups and yogurt, mixed into granola, or added to bread and baked goods for extra crunch. You can find pumpkin seeds sold by the kilo at Dekenet Al Nes in Baaqline, in the Chouf. As a package-free grocery store, Dekenet Al Nes encourages customers to bring their own containers or bags and take only the amount they need, which helps cut down on plastic waste and single-use packaging.