pumpkin seed oil has an intense nutty taste and is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. browned oil has a bitter taste. pumpkin seed oil serves as a salad dressing. the typical styrian dressing consists of pumpkin seed oil and cider vinegar. the oil is also used for desserts, giving ordinary vanilla ice cream a nutty taste. it is considered a real delicacy in austria and slovenia, and a few drops are added to pumpkin soup and other local dishes. using it as a cooking oil, however, destroys its essential fatty acids.