How to dry pumpkin seeds at home: choose the best way and follow the instructions
Drying pumpkin seeds at home is very easy, the main thing is to know what end result you want to get. Many are interested in the best way to do this, because the choice is wide enough: an oven, an air grill, a microwave oven, an electric dryer, a frying pan and even drying naturally. Let's consider this issue in more detail.
The content of the article
Types of drying pumpkin seeds
With any method of preparation (stewing, drying, boiling), pumpkin remains a real storehouse of vitamins. It does not lose its properties even when frozen. However, not only pulp is useful for the human body, but also pumpkin seeds: due to their composition, they can improve the condition of the scalp, get rid of dandruff and, in general, have a beneficial effect on the skin, nails and teeth.
They are used not only as an independent product, but also used as an addition to ready-made dishes.
Important! Pumpkin seeds are high in calories: 100 g of dry product contains about 550 kcal.
For food and seeds
First of all, it is worth deciding why the seeds need to be dried, since the methods of drying them for subsequent planting in the soil and eating them differ.
If you plan to plant seeds in the future, then in no case should they be heat treated, but dry only at room temperature. If the grains are exposed to high temperatures, all moisture will evaporate from them and all organic compounds from which the sprout is formed will die.
Before carrying out this procedure, the grains must be thoroughly washed and sorted. Only large and undamaged specimens are used for planting in the soil. Before planting on seedlings, the grains are hardened: they are placed in the refrigerator overnight, and in the morning they are again laid out in a room with room temperature.
The alternation of temperatures is carried out for 3-5 days. After that, the grains are additionally germinated in wet gauze or planted in a prepared container with soil. Water such seedlings as the earth dries up. When 2-3 full-fledged sheets appear and a stable above-zero temperature, the seedlings are planted in open ground.
For the use of pumpkin seeds for food, they are prepared by various methods. Initially, people dried the seeds by leaving them in the sun in hot weather. The moisture evaporated, and they became suitable for consumption, but a large amount of nutrients were not preserved.
It is now recommended to use proven products and equipment for more even drying. Let's take a look at several ways you can dry your seeds at home for eating.
Read also:
How to take pumpkin seed oil for prostatitis and how it will help.
The best varieties of bush pumpkin and the peculiarities of their cultivation.
Training
To properly prepare the seeds for drying, cut the pumpkin so as not to damage the seeds. Spooning grains is the quickest and safest way.
Attention! All seeds should be white and firm to the touch, only these should be eaten. If their color is uneven and in places dark, they are spoiled.
Then the seeds should be rinsed: place them in a colander and place under cold water. Once the grains are clean, they are ready to dry.
After that, let the seeds dry: blot them with a towel and spread them on a dry surface in a thin layer.
Drying methods
Many people have questions about how to dry pumpkin seeds, what equipment and temperature conditions should be used.
Naturally
This method is suitable for those regions where summers are hot and dry. Thoroughly washed seeds are spread in a thin layer on a baking sheet, tray or any other flat surface and left in the sun, and in the evening the seeds are brought into the room.
In this way they are dried for 1-2 weeks. It is advisable to cover the container with seeds with a thin cloth or gauze from insects.
In a frying pan
Use a frying pan if you like well-roasted seeds. Fry them over medium heat, if you use an electric stove, then set the temperature to 100-120 degrees and do not forget to stir so that the seeds do not burn.
The process does not exceed 15 minutes so that the skin does not burn, then remove the pan from the stove. Add a little salt to make the seeds taste good.
In the airfryer
If you have an airfryer, keep in mind that the optimal temperature is 60 degrees, and the time does not exceed 30 minutes. After the end of the set program, stir thoroughly and check if all the grains have dried evenly.
In an electric dryer
Cooking in an electric dryer will take about an hour. In this case, the temperature should not exceed 80 degrees. Stir the seeds periodically.
Attention! Leaving the beans at the bottom of the dryer or forgetting to stir them will result in overcooked or over-dried seeds.
In the oven
How to dry pumpkin seeds using the oven? This should be done at 60-80 degrees. The process takes 10-20 minutes. If you come across large seeds, then raise the temperature to 100 degrees. Place them in a thin layer on a baking sheet and cook on a medium level in the oven, stirring occasionally.
In the microwave
Take a bowl and place the seeds in a thin layer on it. Turn on the 600 W oven and set the time to 20 minutes. Finally, add salt to taste.
Checking readiness
The readiness of seeds is determined by their appearance:
- they take on a darker color;
- the contour of the seed becomes sharpened;
- a thin transparent film peels off.
Storage
Store ready-made pumpkin seeds in a dark and dry place. It is in such conditions that vitamins and useful microelements are preserved in them longer.
Conclusion
Dried pumpkin seeds are one of the healthiest food additives and are easy to make at home. There are several easy ways you can dry your seeds properly. This will provide you with not only a source of vitamins, but also a great snack for a long time.