Pepita

Pepita is a term with several related uses in Spanish-speaking cultures. It most commonly refers to a seed or kernel, and in culinary contexts it is widely used to denote pumpkin seeds, especially when they are roasted and salted.

In Spanish, pepita is a noun that literally means a small seed or kernel. The plural pepitas is used to describe edible seeds in general, with pepita de calabaza specifically referring to pumpkin seeds. These seeds are typically green inside and are prepared as snacks or ingredients in various dishes.

Culinarily, pepitas are eaten on their own as a snack or added to salads, soups, rice dishes, and baked goods. They can be roasted with salt, chili, lime, or other spices, and are sometimes ground or blended into sauces and pastes to enrich texture and flavor. In some regional preparations, ground pepitas serve as a thickener or flavor base for sauces.

Pepita is also a feminine given name in many Spanish-speaking communities, usually a diminutive of Josefa or Josefita. It can be used as a standalone name as well and appears in literature, film, and contemporary usage as a form of affection or cultural identity.

In sum, pepita spans culinary use as pumpkin seeds and social use as a personal name, reflecting its roots in the idea of the seed or kernel at the heart of a broader cultural vocabulary.