How to dry pumpkin seeds in the oven and in a frying pan at home?

general information

As you know, pumpkin is a very healthy product. Moreover, it doesn’t matter at all in what form it is used - fresh, dried, or you are preparing something from a frozen product. What are the benefits of pumpkin seeds? She is well known.

Pumpkin seeds help improve the condition of the scalp, preventing dandruff, and have a good effect on the skin, nails and teeth, since they contain a large amount of essential calcium .

Pumpkin seeds cope with male sexual diseases , improving the condition of organs at the initial stage of the disease. This is why pumpkin seeds are so popular.

But don’t forget that they are incredibly tasty and serve as an excellent addition to any prepared dish.

Growing pumpkins in your garden is not difficult at all. But this alone is not enough to obtain such valuable seeds. It is also very important to properly harvest the crop and choose a method for preserving it.

We will tell you how to preserve pumpkin seeds at home without losing their precious vitamins .

Pumpkin seeds are a source of vitamins

The first and most proven method in this case is drying. It is thanks to her that we can enjoy the pleasant and favorite taste from childhood even in winter.

Removing the Husk

The seeds can be first cleaned and then dried or fried - this is especially convenient if you need to process a large number of them. For this purpose, prepared (washed, dried) grains are laid out on a horizontal surface, covered with parchment paper. Then, using a rolling pin, they are rolled, destroying the shell, but not crushing the core.

Bring water to a boil in a saucepan, add seeds (they should be half as much as liquid). They are cooked for 20-30 minutes at low heat - the burst shells float to the surface, and the kernels sink to the bottom. Then the water with the husk is drained, the kernels are dried and fried.

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If you need to peel several pieces, this can be done with scissors - the seed is taken by the thickened part, the side joints of the valves are cut towards the pointed “spout”, and the core is squeezed out.

Benefit or harm?

Is it possible to dry pumpkin seeds? Pumpkin seeds have been dried for centuries. Even in ancient Russia, seeds were a favorite delicacy and were used no worse than sunflower seeds. Today in stores you can also see hundreds of colorful packages of seeds.

This means that you can dry the seeds, the main thing is to do it correctly . Many people try to use the easiest way - they simply leave the seeds in the sun for a long time. During this time, the moisture evaporates and the seeds become completely suitable for consumption.

However, remember that sunlight can negatively affect seeds, thereby causing them to lose important vitamins . Therefore, use proven methods, as well as devices that were given to us by the latest technologies of our century.

What is the benefit or harm to the body from dried pumpkin seeds? Dried pumpkin seeds retain all their nutrients . They are no worse than fresh ones and can have a beneficial effect on the entire body as a whole, thereby saving you from a number of problems and diseases .

But in order for the seeds to be suitable for consumption, and therefore bring only benefits, you need to know the basic rules for drying them. Today we will introduce you to all stages of this process.

Basic Rules

How to dry pumpkin seeds at home? How to prepare them for drying? A very important point in drying seeds is their proper preparation .

You must know how to properly extract the seeds and in what form to bring them to direct drying. Let's start with the fact that the seeds are in the very heart of the pumpkin - in its pulp .

Pumpkin seeds are perfectly separated from the pulp - the most important thing is not to damage them . You should cut the pumpkin carefully so that most of the seeds are not cut.

You can remove pumpkin seeds with a spoon.

Also remember that the seeds must be white and firm to the touch - otherwise, your seeds are unripe . Also remember that pumpkin seeds should not be rotten , like the pumpkin fruit itself (this is especially true if the pumpkin is stored indoors).

Once you are sure that your vegetable meets all the necessary requirements , you can begin to cut off the top of the pumpkin. You will see the pulp on which many seeds are attached. Carefully separating the change from the pulp, begin to disconnect them.

The seeds should not be crushed or otherwise deformed - otherwise they can no .

Once you have removed all the seeds from the pumpkin, rinse them . Place the seeds in a colander and run under running cold water , rinsing until the seeds lose their viscosity. Only after this can you consider that you have prepared the seeds correctly. (The leftover pumpkin can be used for food or as Halloween decorations).

The next step is to dry the seeds . To do this, thoroughly blot the spread seeds and cover with a towel. Press the fabric with your hand to absorb moisture . Leave the tray in a dry place for several hours until the moisture leaves the seeds. After this, you can proceed to the drying process.

You can learn how to prepare seeds for drying from the video:

Storage rules

Knowing how to prepare pumpkin seeds is not enough - they need to be stored correctly. Roasted seeds, that is, those that have been exposed to high temperatures, should be consumed immediately; they quickly become damp. The product, dried at a minimum temperature or in fresh air, can be stored in a dark, dry place for a year, placed in canvas bags or glass containers with tight lids.

Device selection

How to dry pumpkin seeds? If you approach the issue of drying without any experience in this matter, then you may encounter some problem . For example, different sources indicate different devices that are involved in the drying process and it is very difficult to decide on them.

So, for example, if we talk about drying seeds, then you can choose an oven, frying pan, microwave, convection oven or electric dryer . It all depends on the result you want to see in the end.

Of course, drying involves a process in which the result should be ready-made seeds that would not only taste good, but also have a whole host of vitamins.

For each device separately there are a number of rules regarding drying.

Drying seeds in the oven

Temperature

How to dry pumpkin seeds? At what temperature? Depending on which appliance you use, the drying temperature may vary. The frying pan is suitable for those who want to enjoy sunflower seeds, well roasted, with a light golden brown crust.

The frying pan should be kept on medium heat , but if you are using a hob, then bring the temperature to 100 - 120 degrees and stir periodically so that one of the sides of the seed does not burn.

The exposure time for seeds should not exceed fifteen minutes . Do not let the seeds lie on one side for a long time. The skin can burn very quickly. If desired, the seeds can be salted - this will add a pleasant taste during consumption.

If we are talking about an air fryer , then it is recommended to dry the seeds in it at a temperature of 60 degrees. Drying in the air fryer will take about thirty minutes.

running fan in the device increases the heat significantly, so this fact must be taken into account.

Drying in an electric dryer is possible at a temperature of 80 degrees with occasional stirring. Drying in an electric dryer on medium trays will take about an hour.

The main thing to remember is that such drying can lead to the most incredible results if you leave the seeds on the top or bottom tray. As a rule, this is fraught with either the seed not drying or burning.

How to dry pumpkin seeds in the oven? Oven drying involves heating at a temperature of 60 - 80 degrees. If the seeds are too large and fleshy, then the temperature can be raised to one hundred degrees .

Well dried seeds

When drying in the oven, the seeds must be placed on a baking sheet in a very thin layer and stirred periodically . Only then will the seeds be truly tasty and dried.

The exposure time for seeds in the oven ranges from 20 to 30 minutes . In this case, the baking sheet should be exactly in the middle of the oven.

How to dry pumpkin seeds in the microwave? in a microwave oven as follows: placing the seeds in a thin layer in a special oven-safe dish, you should set the oven to 600 watts . Generally, microwave drying time is twenty minutes .

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What are the benefits of pumpkin seeds?

In order to collect the seeds, you need to prepare the pumpkin.
Place it vertically on a flat, stable surface. Insert the tip of a large kitchen knife into the top of the pumpkin. Slowly push down on the knife, applying downward pressure and rocking the knife from side to side to widen the cut. Continue down. Once you have cut half of the pumpkin, flip it over and repeat the process on the other side. After making a cut around the entire pumpkin, make one final cut through the entire pumpkin. And then open it with your hands. Hold the pumpkin steady with your non-dominant hand - and be as careful as possible to avoid getting your hand caught under the knife.

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This simple task can be accomplished either with your hands or with a large serving spoon. Most of the seeded pulp will be easily removed once you gently scoop it out by hand. But the denser pulp containing seeds should be collected with a spoon. By the way, the most convenient to use is a special metal ice cream spoon.

Place a colander in the sink and pour all the seeds into it. Then open the water and actively move the colander so that the water covers all the seeds. Then place the colander with the seeds directly in the sink and thoroughly clean the seeds with your hand under running water. Any pulp stuck to the seeds should be removed.

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You should also pat the seeds thoroughly using paper towels or napkins and continue the process until the seeds are dry. This usually takes about 5-10 minutes.

Lay out a new layer of paper towels, sprinkle the seeds on it, place two or three paper towels on top, blot thoroughly again and leave for ten minutes. After this time, pour the seeds into a clean, dry bowl. Be sure to remove any pulp or debris or spoiled seeds when you pour them into the container.

To begin, preheat the oven to approximately 90-93°C. To ensure it heats up evenly, wait about 10-15 minutes (gas ovens heat up twice as fast). Be sure to use a thermometer to determine the exact temperature of the air in the oven.

While the oven is heating, prepare the pumpkin seeds by carefully placing them on a baking sheet in one thin layer. Then place in the lowest position in the oven and leave for three to four hours. Every twenty minutes, do not forget to stir the seeds with a spoon so that they do not burn.

Please note: if you plan to plant seeds in the future, choose other drying options, because high temperatures damage planting material - the likelihood that baked seeds simply will not germinate is extremely high. The method of drying seeds in the oven is best suited if you do not want to plant seeds on the site, but use them as a healthy treat.

After the pumpkin seeds have dried, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the seeds cool slightly. Then place the dried seeds in an envelope or paper bag before planting or roasting. This way you can store them until you want to plant them next year or roast them when you want to!

If you notice any moldy or damaged seeds, discard them before storing. Always store dried pumpkin seeds in a cool, dry place. If you want, you can keep them in the refrigerator or freezer until it's time to plant.

And one more important point - I cook only those seeds that were extracted from the pumpkin with my own hands. I don’t like to buy in bulk - it is unknown how they were stored and what they were treated with to increase their shelf life. However, it can be difficult when there is no pumpkin, and all supplies have run out, but I found a solution for myself - I buy seeds on Iherb (the product is natural and not processed in any way).

At first glance, it’s not a very cheap pleasure, but if you keep track of discounts, you can buy it 20% cheaper than the stated price - an excellent price for an organic product. I choose peeled and unroasted seeds to get the maximum benefit - I add them to salads, porridges and puree soup. The consumption is very economical - I recommend it. There are also on Iherb - but I prefer to buy raw ones, they are purified and have more benefits.

What methods do you use to dry pumpkin seeds? Do you have your own secrets? – share in the comments!

The use of the product brings the following benefits:

Pumpkin seeds contain vitamins A and E, which promote skin cell renewal.
They contain zinc, which is important for maintaining vascular tone. In addition, the entry of the microelement into the body helps get rid of various skin rashes.
Eating pumpkin seeds has a beneficial effect on lowering cholesterol levels.
The product is an effective choleretic agent.
Pumpkin seeds are rich in protein. That is why they are an indispensable product for vegetarians and raw foodists.
Eating pumpkin seeds looks like a great preventive solution to combat parasites.

At first glance, it’s not a very cheap pleasure, but if you keep track of discounts, you can buy it 20% cheaper than the stated price - an excellent price for an organic product. I choose these peeled and unroasted seeds to get the maximum benefit - I add them to salads, porridges and puree soup. The consumption is very economical - I recommend it. There are also roasted seeds on Iherb, but I prefer to buy raw ones, they are peeled and have more benefits.

Pumpkin seeds are not only tasty, but also an extremely healthy product. As raw materials, they are used to obtain healing oils; you can also often find them in “beauty recipes,” but they are most often used in cooking, as they are added to baked goods, salads, prepared vegetarian dishes and, of course, consumed raw.

This product contains a large amount of minerals, there are also trace elements and protein compounds that are extremely beneficial for the human body. The presence of a high level of vitamin E in the composition is considered to be of particular value. This group of elements has a positive effect on human reproductive qualities.

It is unacceptable to eat these seeds in the following cases:

the presence of individual intolerance to the product,
the presence of an allergic reaction,
a number of diseases of the liver, stomach and intestines.

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In addition, an undried product quickly becomes unusable - it becomes moldy due to the high moisture content. Therefore, before storing the seeds, they should be thoroughly dried. And in order not to damage this product, while preserving the maximum possible amount of useful substances, you need to follow the recommendations that will be proposed later in the article.

To store dried pumpkin seeds you need to select:

Dry and dark room.
Suitable container. In this capacity you can use: a paper bag, a cardboard box, as well as a ceramic or glass jar with a well-ground or tight nylon lid. A good option is a small cotton bag. If you don’t have a bag, you can simply wrap the seeds in several layers of medical gauze.

You can store pumpkin seeds for 12 months, but only if their shells are intact. Peeled pumpkin seeds cannot be stored for long periods of time: in this case, they will have to be consumed as quickly as possible.

Otherwise, they will either oxidize, losing their excellent taste, or become moldy.

Every housewife can find several devices at home that are used to dry pumpkin seeds. Each approach produces its own special product. To decide on the best method, you will have to try them all.

Pan. The heat used is medium, the product must be stirred constantly so that the sides of the seeds do not burn. The manipulation should not last more than 15 minutes. If even after this time it seems that the product is not ready, it is still removed from the surface of the pan. It will reach due to its own temperature. During the drying process, you can add a little salt, but this will reduce the benefit of the component.
Air fryer. At a temperature of about 60ºC, drying lasts half an hour. But you need to remember that turning on the fan increases the heat, so with this approach the exposure time needs to be reduced.
Electric dryer. At home, medium levels of equipment are used for drying seeds. At a temperature of 80ºC, the products will be ready in an hour. The use of upper and lower trays usually ends in damage to the seeds.
Oven. When drying seeds in the oven, you should also use the middle level. At a temperature of 60-80ºС, the manipulation will take no more than 20-30 minutes. If the elements are very large and fleshy, the temperature can be increased to 100ºC. If you open the oven door slightly, moisture will escape and the final product will be crispier.
Microwave. Few people use this approach, but it is simple and effective. With a power of 600 watts, the procedure will take only 20 minutes. You just need to find suitable dishes at home with a flat bottom and low sides.

Regardless of the method chosen, the seeds should be spread on the work surface in a thin layer. Their regular stirring will allow you to get a very tasty and evenly processed product.

How to determine readiness?

How to properly dry pumpkin seeds? The readiness of the seeds is determined as follows. Firstly, this is an appearance test. Roll the cooled seed in your hands. It should have a slightly yellow tint the outline should be clearly visible .

the transparent film should peel off from the seed . The color of the inside of the seed should be dark green , with white splashes.

If you taste the seed, remember that it should not be wet, have a specific taste and crunch on your teeth.