These seeds are easily paired with salads and grain bowls.

It’s gaining traction on menus but is still considered unique. It can be found at independent casual-dining and progressive fast-casual restaurants.

Lorena Garcia’s Chica restaurant at the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas offers Pepita Crusted Rack of Lamb (pictured) featuring grilled calabaza, squash blossoms and mole verde.

Also, Hard Rock Café, based in Davie, Fla., has on its menu Fresh Beet Side Salad, which includes chilled red beets, orange, kale, baby spinach, lemon herb vinaigrette, goat cheese and toasted pepita seeds.