The season of big pumpkin carving is just around the corner and with it the big question of what to do with the leftovers. To prepare the perfect decoration, you don't need to throw away half of the pumpkin, which would be a total waste. Pumpkin seeds should not be disposed of in the organic waste bin; they can be used in a variety of ways and also have many health benefits. Here you will find the best tips and tricks that you should definitely try.
A healthy superfood
Pumpkin seeds are small but very high quality and are known as a superfood. They are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and vitamin K, which are important for supporting wound healing. They also contain zinc, which helps the immune system fight bacteria and viruses. Its benefits also include improving heart health, prostate health, and protection against certain types of cancer. In addition, the amino acid tryptophan contained in pumpkin seeds, a precursor to serotonin and melatonin, is good for sleep.
Pumpkin seeds are also rich in protein and fiber and ensure that we feel full for a long time, reducing our food intake and ultimately our calorie needs. This helps in weight loss.
To benefit from all these benefits, it is recommended to eat them raw, and these seeds can be easily incorporated into your diet.
How do you remove the pumpkin seeds from the meat?
Now we are going to share with you a quick trick to remove the pumpkin seeds from the flesh and clean them in just 5 minutes:
To separate the seeds from the pumpkin flesh, simply place them in a bowl of water and knead everything firmly or leave it overnight. Then pat dry with a kitchen towel.
Use pumpkin seeds in delicious recipes
The seeds of all pumpkins are edible regardlessHokkaido, butternut or nutmeg pumpkin. They contain the most nutrients when raw, but there are many delicious onesRecipes and ideashow to prepare the pumpkin seeds - whether dried, roasted or caramelized; added to bread, cookies or smoothies, you'll find the best inspiration here.
Dry pumpkin seeds
The kernels can be dried in different ways - in the oven, without an oven or in a dehydrator:
- Allow to dry in the oven at 180 °C for about 10 minutes on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Turn the pumpkin seeds with a spatula and leave in the oven for another 10 minutes. If you like them spicier, sprinkle the kernels with a little salt and paprika powder before drying.
- Drying in an automatic dehydrator takes about 3 hours at 70 °C.
- But if you want to save energy, you can spread the kernels out on a clean kitchen towel and let them dry in the sun or at room temperature for a few days.
Make your own roasted pumpkin seeds
Whether in the oven or in the pan, the roasted pumpkin seeds are just as good as chips, but much healthier to snack on. You can also add them to soups, salads and pastries for better taste.
Ingredients for 1 serving:
- fresh pumpkin seeds with shell
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Water
Preparation:
Mix the clean kernels with the other ingredients and spread them on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for 30-40 minutes.
Caramelize and prepare a sweet snack
Ingredients:
- 80 g pumpkin seeds with shell
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
Preparation:
Mix the dry kernels in a bowl with sugar, cinnamon and vegetable oil. Spread on a baking tray lined with baking paper and roast at 180°C for about 10 minutes, until the seeds are coated with melted sugar and turn deep brown. Place on a sheet of aluminum foil to cool.
Homemade Pumpkin Seed Butter Recipe
Ingredients:
- 75 g pumpkin seeds, peeled
- 125 g Butter
- 1 tbsp pumpkin seed oil
- 2 pinches of salt
Preparation:
You need a food processor, preferably with a powerful motor. There are two main steps for this recipe: first roasting the pumpkin seeds and then processing them into butter together with the other ingredients in a food processor. Roasting the seeds is just a recommendation, but the taste is so incredibly delicious that you shouldn't skip it. It also helps the pumpkin butter ingredients combine more quickly since the oils come out of the seeds much more easily. After about 15 minutes, the seeds will produce a soft, smooth pumpkin seed butter.
Use pumpkin seeds and make delicious pesto yourself
This pumpkin seed pesto is made with parsley and basil for even fresher flavors. Perfect for cold pasta salads, salad dressings or for sprinkling on meat or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 100 g of pumpkins
- 20g parsley
- 40 g Basil
- 50 ml olive oil
- 100 ml pumpkin seed oil
- 50 g Parmesan
- 1 pc. lemon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 Prise Pfeffer
Preparation:
This recipe requires a food processor, but if you have a mortar and pestle, we recommend trying this method. This is how pesto was traditionally made in the past and allows the flavors to be better ignited.
Birds like them too! Use the pumpkin seeds as bird food
Pumpkin seeds are an absolute treat for both us and the birds, especially in the fall when the birds need more energy to fuel migration and store fat to beat the cold. Most seed-eating birds seem to enjoy the nutritious seeds. Roasting the seeds for birds is an easy way to do thatPumpkin seeds as bird foodto use and add additional vitamins.
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