Pumpkin is everywhere on our plots because it's no trouble and is widely used in cooking. I wouldn't be wrong if I said that the most popular part of this crop is the pumpkin seeds because not everyone likes pumpkin dishes, but pumpkin seeds are divine! Not only do they taste delicious, but they are also very healthy. In this Bubgo article, we'll show you how to dry and store dry pumpkin seeds at home. Dried seeds retain all their useful properties.
Undoubtedly, it is easier to buy this product in the form of store-bought. But you will have much more fun with the sunflower seeds you get and dry them yourself! Imagine how enjoyable it is to shell the purest seeds (unlike sunflower seeds) on long winter evenings in front of the TV or with a book Can you imagine? Then we'll tell you more about it.
The product has beneficial properties.
1. It is a source of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. The most useful element is iron.
2. High content of vitamin E, which is essential for improving human reproductive function.
3. Has a positive effect on the skin, teeth, and nails due to its high calcium content.
4. Treatment of male genital disorders, especially in the initial stages.
The product is used in the production of pumpkin seed oil. The widespread use of vegetarian dishes and cosmetics is an important part of the product design.
Tip: However, this product has an obvious disadvantage: it is very high in calories, more than 550 kcal per 100 g. Therefore, to stay in shape, pumpkin seeds should be consumed in moderation. Sunflower seeds are not only good for your health, but they also taste good.
This is a fairly simple procedure. Cut the pumpkin in half (this makes it easier to extract the seeds) and remove the central seed part, which is the seed chamber. Sick and rotten fruits should not be used: the seeds will not taste as good and cannot be stored for a long time.
For better seeds, it is worth storing harvested pumpkins in indoor conditions for 2-3 weeks (at least a month for later varieties). If you tighten the pumpkin, the seeds can germinate inside the pumpkin. Admittedly, you will have to make some repairs by stripping them from the original fibers and rinsing them well under running water until the slipperiness and all the pulp fibers are gone.
A strainer is handy for this purpose. If you want, you can put the whole - for baking porridge or other dishes in it. You can cut the top into circles of not too large diameter and remove the seed part.
Tip: The most delicious and best quality specimens will be dense, fully finished (hollow) specimens. Rotten ones are absolutely unsuitable. As long as you extract the seeds quickly and cleanly, you can spread them on a tray or suitable material with a cloth or paper towel. You can also cover them with an absorbent material and apply a few hand presses for initial drying. Only then do the final drying.
Before you start drying, it is important to know at what temperature to dry pumpkin seeds. The temperature depends on the chosen method and equipment. For normal roasting in a pan, the temperature should be set to 212 °F (100 °C) or a little higher. Air grills must be set to 140 °F (60 °C) and electric dryers to 176 °F (80 °C). Seeds will turn out better in an oven at 140-176 °F (60-80 °C).
Seeds can be dried in various ways. It depends entirely on the quantity of them and the availability of drying equipment. If you don't have enough material, you can leave the trays with the seeds on the heater and leave them alone for 2-3 days.
This is what I do because I usually pick seeds from only 2-3 fruits. By sowing seeds in this way you can get a finished product in just a few days. A quicker way to get a fully cooked, the dry brown product is to roast the pumpkin seeds in a skillet. Then no more than 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally is all that is needed. However, these techniques are only suitable for small batches. For larger quantities, it is worth choosing another method that works best for you.
Tips do not affect the taste of the seeds. The main thing here is the action you take to clean and dry them.
In a warm, ventilated, dust-free room, spread the seeds thinly on a clean flat surface. Use plain, unpainted white paper for this purpose. I recommend not taking newspapers, as the toxic material used for printing can cause poisoning.
On average, the seeds will mature in 2-3 weeks. You can cover the seeds with a light cloth, such as gauze, to protect them from dust.
This appliance is used quite often by modern gardeners. It can perform a useful function, making it easier to dry berries, vegetables, and mushrooms. It takes about 1 hour to complete the job.
Tip: Medium level trays are the best. They should be replaced regularly, otherwise, the drying will be uneven.
Every housewife knows very well at what level the baking trays are best. This is usually the middle position. Sometimes it is necessary to raise the temperature to 212 °F (100 °C) to get the desired result, especially for large seeds. They are dispersed into a thin layer and dried for half an hour to 1-2 hours, depending on the quantity. Stirring them is a must. If necessary, leave the oven door completely open.
Take a special microwave-safe dish or a large flat dish and spread the seeds in a thin layer. At 600 watts, drying will take about 10-20 minutes. At higher wattages, the seeds can be dried in a few minutes, but there is a greater chance of burning if you are not careful. You can dry seeds in different ways.
I believe in carefully prepared seeds and you won't have them for very long. However, if you store them in storage, they need to be stored somewhere. To do this, there are some simple guidelines to follow.
1. Keep them in a cool, dry, dark place. Otherwise, the seeds will dry out quickly and lose their original flavor or become shriveled. Only dry, healthy seeds have a range of vitamins.
2. A dry container. A cardboard box in a dry room will do the trick.
3. A glass jar with a plastic lid works well. You can use a plastic container with a tight lid or a clean canvas bag, or you can use ceramic dishes.
4. Store at room temperature, but not above 68 °F (20 °C). It is not uncommon to store in the refrigerator. Avoid sudden changes in temperature.
5. Excellent storage space - pantry, insulated log cabin.
6. Do not store in the kitchen or bathroom.
7. A peculiar oily smell will indicate that the product has gone bad. Sunflower seeds are no longer available and cannot be eaten - this is bad for your health.
Tip: Properly stored, dry seeds will retain their properties for up to a year. However, for peeled seeds, this period will be reduced by about half.
You now know how to dry pumpkin seeds in different ways. However, there is one requirement for all methods - that the integrity of the seed coat is not compromised. Cut seeds will lose their marketable appearance and their taste will deteriorate. In addition, they do not keep for a long time. Dried sunflower seeds retain all their useful properties.
How do you dry your pumpkin seeds? Share your suggestions with other gardeners in the comments.
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