How to peel pumpkin seeds at home: step-by-step instructions and tips to make the task easier
A pleasant sweet taste, a slight crunch and an “exciting” cleansing process - that’s all about pumpkin seeds. They contain a lot of calcium, which is beneficial for the skin, teeth, and nails. They contain vitamins and microelements necessary for the body to function properly. The maximum amount of useful substances is contained in the raw product, but, unfortunately, it cannot be stored for a long time. The seeds quickly deteriorate and become unfit for consumption.
The best way to extend the shelf life of pumpkin seeds and preserve all their beneficial properties is to properly dry them. You can buy roasted seeds, but a product prepared yourself is much healthier, since the drying process occurs under your control. In this article we will tell you how to dry and peel pumpkin seeds at home.
Selecting seeds and preparing them for drying
It's not always possible grow a pumpkin and process seeds manually. Therefore, we will consider the option of purchasing ready-made ones.
How to choose the right one:
- by smell - if you feel any specific smell, then their kernels are probably affected by something; they will taste bitter;
- by appearance - the seeds must be thoroughly washed; if they stick, it means they have not been washed well;
- by the quality of the skin - if the skin of the roasted seeds is soft, they were prepared with violations of the technological process.
Many people prefer to get their own pumpkin seeds to avoid a poor quality product.
How to collect pumpkin seeds:
- cut the pumpkin in half;
- remove all the seeds with your hands and remove all the pulp from them;
- wash them in a colander several times;
- when all the moisture has drained, blot them with a napkin.
Drying methods
It is best to dry the seeds outside in the sun. - this way they will keep all their benefit. But it happens that this is not possible or they are needed as soon as possible and in large quantities. Let's consider possible drying methods, in addition to open air and sun.
In a frying pan
Simply dry the seeds in a frying pan:
- place the frying pan on medium heat;
- heat it well and reduce the heat;
- pour out dry and clean seeds;
- fry them, stirring constantly (no more than 10 minutes);
- the finished product is left to cool.
Microwave
When choosing this method, the product must be completely dry.
Procedure:
- placed on a glass dish from the microwave;
- dry at medium power for 3 minutes;
- open the door and mix them;
- turn on medium power and leave for another 3 minutes;
- mix again and repeat the previous step;
- Remove the glass dish and leave to cool.
In the oven
Before drying pumpkin seeds in the oven, be sure to wash them in water.to get rid of the pulp. Then they are dried with a napkin and left to dry completely for several hours (preferably overnight).
The product can be placed in the oven and don’t worry that some part won’t dry completely:
- preheat the oven to 180°C;
- line a sheet of parchment on a baking sheet;
- lay out the seeds in one layer so that they do not lie on top of each other;
- place the baking sheet in a preheated oven;
- take it out exactly after 5 minutes and mix thoroughly;
- put back in the oven for another 7 minutes;
- Remove the pan and leave to cool.
If the pumpkin seeds are very damp, it is also enough to preheat the oven to 180°C, place the parchment on a baking sheet, spread the product in an even layer and place in the oven for 7 minutes. The moisture will leave through the pores of the peel and the kernels will dry out.
In an electric dryer for vegetables and fruits
The seeds are placed on the grate of each level of the dryer in an even layer. The temperature is set to 70°C. In order for them to dry equally, it is necessary to periodically rearrange the grates.
In a convection oven
The blowing power is set to maximum, the heating temperature is set to 70°C. Air fryer drying time is 40 minutes. The lid of the device is left slightly open for better ventilation - then the moist air will have somewhere to go.
Interesting facts about pumpkin seeds:
Harm and benefits of pumpkin seeds for men
How to determine if the seeds are dry
When well dried, they have a light yellow color, the peel acquires density, and the shape becomes contoured.. If you clean one thing, you will notice how easily the film separates from the core. The color of the kernel should be dark green with white speckles.
Important! The seed should not taste wet, have a strong crunch, or have a bitter taste. If these signs are not present, the product is perfectly dried.
How to peel pumpkin seeds
Peeling them is easy. Properly dried seeds easily lose their shell. It is enough to take the seed between your thumb and forefinger and press lightly - the peel will immediately open into two halves.
How to Peel Raw and Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Fresh and wet seeds are not easy to clean. remember, that When dried, they last much longer. If you peel the seeds raw, eat them immediately. Otherwise, they will become moldy, lose their beneficial properties, and become rancid.
Still, many people love to nibble on unroasted pumpkin seeds. You can get the kernel from raw seeds in this way:
cut the pumpkin and remove the seeds;- free the seeds from the pulp, wash with water in a colander;
- blot with a napkin and place on a baking sheet;
- dry them a little from moisture;
- Roll the product lightly with a rolling pin;
- put in a saucepan, pour boiling water (1:2).
- cook for 30 minutes over low heat.
The skin will rise to the surface, but the kernels will remain below. Carefully remove the peel with a spoon and pour the water with the seeds into a colander.
Cleaning roasted seeds
When the pumpkin seeds are properly dried, the storage location is chosen correctly, you can start consuming them. There are many recipes using shelled roasted pumpkin seeds. - it will take more than one handful.
Perhaps it will be Urbech (nut and seed spread) or granola (baked mixture of nuts, seeds, dried fruits). In any case, every housewife should know what cleaning methods exist.
Most An easy and effective way to clean roasted pumpkin seeds in large quantities - using a home blender:
pour water into a saucepan (1 liter per 0.5 kg of pumpkin seeds), bring to a boil;- pour out the seeds and cook them over low heat under a closed lid for half an hour;
- remove all floating husks with a spoon, drain the water with seeds into a colander;
- wash the seeds to remove any remaining husks;
- dry the seeds.
There are varieties of pumpkin in which the seeds do not have a peel.. Then you won’t have to peel the seeds, you can immediately enjoy the taste and get the benefits.
Industrial cleaning
In large-scale conditions use special equipment to peel seeds. This is a large centrifuge into which clean and washed pumpkin seeds are collected. They are exposed to centrifugal force and hit the walls of the container.
The peel is damaged, but the kernels remain intact. As soon as the husk begins to come off, the vibration starts. The shells rise up and end up in the trash.
Then the cleaned seeds once again go through the first stage - a centrifuge. Afterwards the seeds are washed and dried. Before packaging in production, the seeds are sorted by hand to check for the absence of debris.
Do I need to wash shelled pumpkin seeds?
After drying the seeds yourself and cleansing them, it is undesirable to moisten them again, since after that you will have to resort to drying again. Then there will be much less useful properties. In addition, when washed, dried peeled seeds will crumble.
However if you purchased pumpkin seeds in a store, but you are not sure of their quality, you can put the seeds in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Storing peeled pumpkin seeds
After drying using the chosen method, it is necessary to determine the location and storage conditions. The storage location should be dark and dry. The seeds are placed in a fabric bag and hung up so that they are ventilated. Can also be placed in a glass jar, ceramic container or cardboard box.
Eat several important rules for storing pumpkin seeds:
- if there are a lot of them, then divide them into several parts;
- there should be enough oxygen in the storage room, but high humidity will only do harm;
- there should be no high temperature in the storage location;
- It is not advisable to leave a dried and fried product in storage for a long time.
Cleaning Tips
If you are peeling the seeds for immediate consumption untreated and in small quantities, use your own fingers.
If you require more product (for example, over 2 glasses), you should use a blender.
Conclusion
Pumpkin seeds are a healthy and tasty product that can be consumed in its pure form or used in the preparation of various dishes. Preparing them at home is not difficult if you know all the drying options and the basics of proper storage.
Cleaned seeds allow you to experiment with homemade recipes - pastes (urbechi), muesli and caramel with nuts and seed kernels will surprise guests and household members.