How to properly roast pumpkin seeds. How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds have long been used in folk medicine as a remedy against worms and improve blood quality. But nowadays, pumpkin seeds, due to their special taste, are a popular delicacy.

There are different recipes for roasting pumpkin seeds. Thanks to a special frying technique, the main product does not lose its beneficial qualities - all microelements remain in the seeds, although the properties of vitamins are slightly lost.

Beneficial properties of pumpkin seeds

The benefits of roasted pumpkin seeds are determined by their chemical composition, which determines the main properties of this product. Pumpkin seeds contain:

Pumpkin seeds contain vitamins - A, C, B, D, K, E and minerals - potassium, calcium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese.
The seeds contain protein, amino acids, and fiber.
Pumpkin seeds contain the anthelmintic protein cucurbitin, which helps against helminthic infestations.
Pumpkin seeds do not show side effects, so they can be consumed by adults and children.
The iron contained in this herbal component helps improve blood quality, therefore it is effective against diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Amino acids strengthen the walls of blood vessels, and linolenic acid strengthens the arteries.
The seeds have mild diuretic and laxative properties.

Methods for roasting pumpkin seeds

There are several ways to fry pumpkin seeds, but the most common are: frying the seeds in a frying pan, in the oven and in the microwave.

The method for frying pumpkin seeds in a frying pan involves the following preparation steps:

Pour a small portion of pumpkin seeds into a dry frying pan without adding oil. The fire is turned on at full power, constantly stirring the seeds.
After 2 minutes, reduce the heat to medium and do not forget to stir its contents.
When the grains begin to crackle and acquire a golden color, turn off the heat.
While the pan is cooling, you should stir the seeds so that they do not burn. This is especially true for cast iron frying pans, as they remain hot for a long time.
You can speed up the cooling process by pouring the prepared fried seed onto a dry towel.

Tip: Before frying pumpkin seeds in a frying pan, you can soak them. But this has its pros and cons. They will peel well after this procedure, but if they are not dried, which is a long process, they will not have a good taste.

Ready-made shelled pumpkin seeds are much more nutritious if you fry them over low heat, stirring.

The method for frying pumpkin seeds in the microwave will not be difficult even for the most inexperienced housewives:

Pumpkin seeds in the shell are washed well under running water. Leave to dry for 2 days, preferably turning the seeds over.
Place the dried seed on a flat plate.
Turn on the microwave on high power for 1 minute.
Remove the plate from the oven and stir the seeds.
Pumpkin seeds are fried in the microwave in three stages of 1 minute each, until the shells take on a brownish color.
The finished fried seed is placed in the microwave for another 30 seconds and when the grains begin to click, this will be an indicator of their readiness.
The seeds must cool down, after which they are shelled. You can add salt to the peeled seeds if desired.

In addition, if the seeds are left in salted water before frying, this will help deactivate the fermentation inhibitors, which will subsequently not have a negative effect on the stomach.

Roasted pumpkin seeds can be added to salads and to decorate ready-made dishes.

Tip: Be sure to take into account the power of the microwave oven itself. This may shorten or extend the time indicated in the recipe for how to roast pumpkin seeds in the microwave.

There is another, no less popular way to roast pumpkin seeds in the oven. This method requires, as in other recipes, close attention to the product. If the seeds have been removed from the pumpkin pulp, they must be washed and dried.

The oven should be preheated to 190 degrees.
Place the dried pumpkin seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet.
In a medium oven, roast the seeds, stirring every 5 minutes.
When the shell acquires a golden hue, you should taste the seeds. If the grains are dry and oily (not raw), they are ready.

How to fry pumpkin seeds in the oven is a method that each housewife may have its own subtleties and differences. The only condition for ensuring that they do not lose their taste is that they remain nutritious with a pleasant smell and taste, you must stir-fry them without letting them burn. Pumpkin seeds can be roasted in the oven in large quantities - this is perhaps the most profitable way of frying.

Roasted pumpkin seeds, the benefits and harms of which are already familiar to almost all lovers of this delicacy, do not have a high price compared to other products, which is why they are so popular among different categories of consumers.

Culinary subtleties of frying pumpkin seeds

The secret to roasting pumpkin seeds to open them up is the temperature. The seeds in the shell, ready for the frying process, are placed in a heated (required) frying pan and fried over high heat, stirring all the time. The shell will begin to crack, making a characteristic sound.

Roasted seeds should not be placed in a container with high walls and covered tightly with a lid. This can lead to the fact that seeds without air access can acquire an unpleasant rotten taste.

Sometimes housewives add vegetable fats (sunflower, olive, etc. oil) during the frying process. Since the chemical composition of pumpkin seeds is about 50 g of fat per 100 g of fresh product, this is not necessary, especially if a person wants to lose weight.

Such a delicacy as pumpkin seeds is familiar to each of us since childhood. They are not only delicious and healthy, but also extremely nutritious. The process of eating them allows you to occupy your hands and relieve nervous tension. In our article I would like to tell you how to properly dry pumpkin seeds. Here you can resort to several methods, which will be discussed below.

What are the benefits of pumpkin seeds?

Pumpkin seeds are tasty and healthy. The product acts as a raw material for obtaining oils that are used to prepare vegetarian dishes. These seeds can be consumed not only in their pure form. They are often added to salads, vegetable stews, and used to make sauces. Crushed seeds can be a good ingredient when making porridges. The taste of homemade bread and pastries to which such a product has been added is extremely original.

Preparation of raw materials

Before I tell you how to dry pumpkin seeds at home, I would like to say a few words about preparing for the process. To begin with, take a mature pumpkin that has no signs of rotting. Then the top is cut off so that the flesh is clearly visible. The inner tissue of the fetus is removed with a wooden spoon. If desired, the task can be completed manually. The main thing is to ensure that the seeds are not damaged. Otherwise they will become unusable during drying.

After extracting the pumpkin seeds, the raw materials are carefully separated from the pulp and transferred to a colander. Washing occurs under a powerful stream of water from the tap. The grains are gently tossed with your hands. They will be slippery at first. However, after a few washes, the viscosity will disappear. As soon as the seeds stop slipping between the fingers, they can be subjected to further manipulation.

Take several paper towels. The washed seeds are wrapped in the latter. Light pressure is applied to the raw material so as not to damage the product.

As soon as the seeds get rid of the liquid, they are moved from the towel to a board or tray. They are laid out in one layer and left in the fresh air. The seeds are kept in such conditions for several hours until the remaining moisture evaporates.

Drying in a pan

Let's look at how to dry pumpkin seeds in a frying pan. The process is not much different from frying other products. The result is the crispiest possible treat. So, how to dry pumpkin seeds this way? To do everything correctly, you need to perform actions according to the following sequence:

After preliminary drying in the fresh air, the pumpkin seeds are sprinkled with salt.
The raw materials are placed in a bowl filled with olive oil. Black pepper is also poured here, and dill is added. If desired, salt and savory ingredients can be replaced with powdered sugar. In this case, the fried seeds will be sweet.
How to dry pumpkin seeds? The prepared product is placed in a thin layer on a hot frying pan. The fire is reduced to a minimum. The seeds are fried for 20-25 minutes and turned over periodically. In this case, the frying pan is not covered with a lid.
The fact that pumpkin seeds are ready will be indicated by the appearance of a golden crust on their surface. At the end of the procedure, the product is laid out on a paper towel. You can eat the seeds as soon as they have cooled.

Natural drying

How to dry pumpkin seeds without exposing the product to heat? A mandatory point here is the presence of sunny weather and the possibility of placing raw materials in an open, ventilated area. Here's how it works:

The washed seeds are placed in a thin layer on a metal baking sheet. The latter is brought onto an area that is well lit by the sun. In such a place, the raw materials remain for several days. It is important to ensure that the air does not become humid. Otherwise, the drying process will be significantly delayed. The criterion for the product’s readiness for consumption in this case is the appearance of a fragile shell.

How to dry pumpkin seeds in the oven?

To begin with, the oven is thoroughly preheated to a temperature of about 150 o C. The prepared seeds are laid out in one layer on a metal baking sheet, previously covered with foil or baking paper. The raw materials are sent to the oven.

How to properly dry pumpkin seeds in the oven? The product is exposed to high temperature for 10-15 minutes. As soon as the surface of the seeds turns slightly brownish, they are removed from the oven and mixed. Then the raw materials are again sent to the device with the fire turned off until it cools down. Once drying is complete, you can lightly sprinkle the seeds with salt or sugar.

Microwave drying

You can dry pumpkin seeds in the microwave. Let's look at the procedure step by step:

The seeds are washed and placed in a thin layer in a glass bowl, the bottom of which is covered with paper towels.
The container is sent to the microwave oven. The device turns on at maximum power. The heat treatment time is set to 2 minutes.
As soon as the timer bell rings, the dishes are removed. The seeds are mixed and placed back in the microwave. The raw materials are fried for several minutes, but at medium power.
Then the seeds are turned over again. If the product is not ready, repeat the above steps. High-quality dried pumpkin seeds will have a hard structure and a darkish tint.

Cooking seeds in an electric dryer

How to dry pumpkin seeds in an electric fruit and vegetable dryer? The raw materials are placed on the grilles of the device in a single layer. The temperature in the dryer is set at 60-70 o C. To ensure that the product is cooked evenly, the trays are swapped from time to time. Missing such an important point will result in the seeds located on the lower tier burning. In turn, the top seeds may be half raw. The seeds are dried in this way until they form a golden crust and an easily peelable transparent film.

Air fryer drying

How to dry pumpkin seeds in an air fryer? The raw material is placed into the device. The maximum hot air blowing power is set. The raw materials are left alone for half an hour. In this case, the convection oven lid should be slightly open, which is required for good ventilation. Otherwise, moist air will accumulate inside the device, and the pumpkin seeds will be slightly damp.

Storing dried seeds

If you store the seeds naturally at room temperature, after about a week they will begin to become damp, lose their crunchiness and change in taste. To prevent this from happening, the product is placed in a cotton bag. An alternative can be gauze fabric, which is folded in several layers. This container for seeds is hung in a dry, well-ventilated area.

Alternatively, the product can be placed in a plastic container. A good option for storing seeds is a glass jar, hermetically sealed. The main thing is that such containers are stored in places where there is no moisture.

In conclusion

So we figured out how to dry pumpkin seeds at home. As you can see, there are many effective and affordable ways to prepare such a nutritious and healthy product for consumption.

Finally, I would like to advise you not to buy factory-made pumpkin seeds. They are often seasoned with plenty of salt. The composition may also contain various preservatives and chemicals that are used to increase the shelf life of the product. It is much safer to do everything yourself by preparing pumpkin seeds at home. The task is not difficult to cope with. The main thing is to adhere to simple rules.

The advent of microwave ovens has greatly simplified our life. Of course, everything cooks faster, heats up in a couple of minutes without additional pots and pans, right in the plate! A microwave oven has many advantages. Bake a pie? Please! Defrost a whole chicken? Easily! You can also fry pumpkin seeds in it.

We've all had those situations when you're going to cook something from a pumpkin, you peel it, take out the seeds, and it's a pity to throw them away. After all, this is also a valuable and, moreover, tasty product.

Pumpkin seeds contain many vitamins: almost the entire group B, vitamin E, A, C and D. In addition: polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, micro and macroelements important for the body. They help normalize blood pressure during hypertension, save you from nausea during pregnancy and when you get motion sickness in transport, cleanse the body of toxins. Yes, pumpkin seeds are very healthy. The main thing is that after everything you’ve read, don’t start eating only them; don’t forget that your diet should be varied.

During heat treatment, some of the vitamins are lost. But the other part remains, plus everything, they acquire their unique taste only after frying. If you have a microwave, you can put the frying pan aside and prepare your favorite treat in just two minutes! If until now you didn’t know how to fry them in the microwave, then the time has come :)

Do you have fresh pumpkin that you are going to use to cook something delicious? When removing seeds, do not rush to throw them away. Collect, rinse thoroughly and leave to dry without covering.

After a couple of days, the seeds are ready for frying.

How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds in the Microwave

Place them on a flat plate or glass lid from a microwave saucepan (very convenient for such things). If you like salty ones, now is the time to add some salt. It is best to fry at 800 watts. Microwave them for 1 minute, then open the oven, stir and cook for another minute, repeat again.

When ready, pumpkin seeds will take on a characteristic appearance and smell delicious. Let them cool and enjoy your favorite snacks to your heart's content.

By the way, fried pumpkin seeds can not only be eaten as is, but also added to various dishes. For example, there are recipes where they are added to pumpkin soup. They are also good in any casserole. They can be used to decorate pie, pudding, muffins, homemade bread and even cake. And the muffins with them are very tasty.

Do you want some crunch? Roasted pumpkin seeds are a great alternative to a bag of chips. How to roast pumpkin seeds? We offer several interesting options. Pumpkin seeds are a source of minerals, vitamins and healthy fiber.

Roasted pumpkin seeds can be used to decorate any salad, pizza or pumpkin soup. Pumpkin seeds are a healthy, crunchy snack that lifts your spirits. You can fry pumpkin seeds in several ways: with oil, spices, in a frying pan or in the oven.

How to roast pumpkin seeds with spices

The fastest way is to fry already peeled pumpkin seeds, fresh and green. Nowadays you can buy shelled pumpkin seeds almost everywhere. You can roast unhulled seeds in the same way, it will take a little more time. A recipe for those who like it spicy and hot. It is suggested to fry pumpkin seeds with chili pepper and lemon juice.
Ingredients:

200 gr. peeled pumpkin seeds
1 tbsp. lemon juice
Chili pepper pinch
Ground red pepper
Coarse salt

Mix the seeds with pepper, salt, sprinkle with lemon juice, mix well. Preheat the oven. Place the seeds on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. It is important to constantly monitor the seeds and stir if necessary. The seeds can burn quickly, so attention is necessary.

You can fry pumpkin seeds in a frying pan in the same way. The seeds fry much faster in a frying pan. You will need 3-4 minutes. Prepare the seeds with spices and fry, stirring constantly and avoiding burning.

How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds with Olive Oil

To do this you will need:

Hulled pumpkin seeds 200 gr.
1 teaspoon olive oil
Coarse salt, black pepper to taste

Pumpkin seeds can also be fried in the traditional way with olive or vegetable oil.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a small bowl, stir together the pumpkin seeds and olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Spread the pumpkin seeds evenly on a baking sheet and place in the oven.
Cook for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. The main thing is not to overdo it.
In the same way, you can fry pumpkin seeds with oil in a frying pan.
Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat.
Add the pumpkin seeds and cook, stirring frequently, until the seeds begin to brown and crackle, 3 to 4 minutes.
Remove from heat and place on paper towel to remove excess oil.

The article offers two of the most successful recipes. In fact, you can add any spices you like. For example: mixed spices, cumin, cayenne pepper, ground red pepper, ground ginger, garlic, brown sugar and so on. Roasted pumpkin seeds are a good addition and decoration to any dish.

As if confirming the biblical saying that there are no prophets in one’s own country, the sunflower and pumpkin “found their land” far from their homeland - the lands of the Aztecs and Incas, and received real recognition, fertile soil and worthy use on our land.

Of course, the ancient Indians knew about the benefits of these crops, and they worshiped the sunflower as a deity, but for the Europeans who colonized the American continent, the value of pumpkin and sunflower seeds as agricultural crops with a wide range of uses became a discovery that came with emigrants from Russia. The earth is round!

The seeds of any plant have a large supply of vitality to germinate and produce a new harvest. Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are no exception, so their benefits have been unquestioned for more than 5-6 thousand years. But their biochemical composition was studied in more detail already in the age of advanced technologies.

A discussion immediately ensued between skeptics and their opponents about the benefits and harms of seeds. Proponents of a healthy lifestyle and fans of diets also did not stand aside: everyone strives to speak out about the benefits and harms of seeds as a food product, at the same time attributing magical healing properties to roasted seeds.

Of all that has been said about these grains, one can and should only trust the results of scientific and laboratory research. If we think logically, the purpose of each product is to supply the body with useful and nutritious substances. Some products contain many vitamins, some contain minerals, others contain unsaturated fatty acids, and so on.

For example, lemon contains vitamin C, but to meet its daily requirement you need to eat 2 lemons, to provide the body with vitamin F, you need to consume 40 g of roasted seeds every day. But the list of everything a person needs during the day - vitamins, valuable acids, minerals necessary for regular consumption - is so large that it is impossible to eat everything at once. Yes, the seeds are healthy. Yes, there are some restrictions on their use. It is possible that they improve well-being in some chronic diseases, but they should not be substituted for medicine, like all other food products. It is best to consult your doctor on these issues, rather than succumb to fashion trends and the influence of sources who are often sellers of the product, and their logic of admiration has a very clear goal: to expand the sales market.

Let those who disagree be indignant, but food, in addition to being useful, should bring pleasure, and the missing elements for the normal functioning of the body must still be sought in special mineral and vitamin complexes. Therefore, leaving a little aside the question of the benefits and harms of seeds, let’s consider a simpler question - home cooking technology.

How to fry seeds: cleaning, sorting and preparing raw materials

Preparing seeds for frying is a more labor-intensive process than frying itself.

The harvested crop must be carefully sorted and all foreign impurities removed. Next, if the seeds are collected from sunflowers of different varieties, then it is advisable to sort them by size.

In industrial conditions, of course, this stage is completely mechanized.

Seeds collected from your summer cottage will have to sort by hand. For what? To ensure even roasting of the seeds.

The next stage is washing. This can be done at home by placing a sieve with seeds under running water. Sunflower seeds are easy to wash: just hold them under pressure to remove dust. If you need to wash pumpkin seeds, it is better to wet them first. After this, they need to be rubbed with your hands to separate the remaining fibers. It is better to repeat this operation several times to completely remove the remaining pulp from their peel.

Next, you need to place a sieve over the tray and wait for the water to drain. It is better to rinse pumpkin seeds immediately after removing them from the pulp, without waiting for it to dry. If you are not going to fry them right away, then you need to dry them and put them in a dry place. Can be stored in a glass jar in the kitchen or in a plastic bag in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator.

The ideal way to dry seeds– convection stove. Fast and reliable. Spread them on a sheet in a thin layer and just keep them in a hot oven. If conditions permit, dry the seeds in the sun, placing them on a net. For example, an anti-mosquito net nailed to a wooden frame is suitable for this purpose - a necessary thing in the household.

Dry large quantities in small portions. It is important to ensure complete drying so that excess moisture during storage does not cause mold and a musty smell. Depending on the volume of the product and individual preferences for it, it is better to store the reserves dried, but not fried. That is, the seeds need to be sorted, washed, dried and stored in this form, and it is advisable to fry them as needed, especially since this will not take much time.

How to roast pumpkin seeds? This question is asked by many amateurs. If sunflower seeds can be fried in a frying pan, then it is still better to fry pumpkin seeds in the oven, spreading them on a sheet in a thin layer.

How to fry seeds: heat treatment methods

Probably, there are still Russian stoves in villages, which are ideal not only for preparing many dishes, but are also an ingeniously simple answer to the question of how to fry seeds. This Russian miracle oven, in its design, is nothing more than a modern combi steamer, only without a timer and a built-in thermometer. In the conditions of modern city apartments one has to be content with the available opportunities.

How to roast seeds in the oven

Cooking food in the oven, including seeds, is still considered the best way to cook any food. The closed oven chamber ensures uniform heating of food at a constant or adjustable temperature. Of great importance is also the fact that, being in a closed space, products retain their valuable nutritional properties as much as possible, which evaporate to a greater extent during heat treatment on the surface of the stove.

Roasting the seeds in the oven takes no more than five minutes. In this case, the oven must first be heated to 220ºϹ. Place the prepared seeds on a sheet. After five minutes, turn off the stove, but do not take out the seeds immediately, but wait until the temperature in the oven decreases by half. After this, the seeds need to be poured onto a wooden surface and kept covered with a linen napkin until completely cooled. The readiness of the seeds is checked organoleptically.

Larger pumpkin seeds, accordingly, need to be fried by increasing the frying time.

Pumpkin seed lovers often look for pumpkin varieties with more seeds. The breeders took care of them. These varieties include Konfetka, Volzhskaya Gray, Rossiyanka, Zhemchuzhina, Arbatskaya. However, before you go shopping for seeds, think about the fact that pumpkin seeds should be consumed in very moderate quantities, and the pumpkin itself is useful not only for its seeds, but also for its pulp.

How to fry seeds in a frying pan

For this frying method, you must choose the appropriate cookware. First of all, you will need a heavy cast-iron frying pan, preferably of large diameter: you will have to fry the seeds, spreading them in a thin layer, for even roasting. Therefore, a large surface area will significantly speed up the process, especially if you need to stock up on roasted seeds before the end of your favorite TV series. Set the metal spatula aside for mixing; use a wooden one. The pan can be pre-greased with oil, but you don’t have to. It is better to wet the seeds so that the husks are steamed and then better separated from the kernels after drying. As soon as the moisture has evaporated, begin to carefully monitor, and, mainly, listen carefully: a characteristic crackling sound is a signal that it is time to remove the pan from the heat. Don't stop stirring even after the pan is removed. The second point that you should pay attention to is the characteristic aroma of roasted seeds. Just make sure it doesn't get burnt. That's it. Frying the seeds in a frying pan takes from 10 to 15 minutes, or a little more: it all depends on the temperature of the stove and the degree of heating of the frying pan.

How to roast sunflower seeds in the microwave

If the tips described above on how to roast pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds seem too troublesome, then try doing it in the microwave. Everyone will surely like this method.

It's very easy: pour washed and damp grains onto a plate. Turn on the microwave for a minute, at maximum power. Take out the plate, stir and leave for another minute. After the third time, try it. If the seeds are not fried enough, then the next approach should last no more than 30 seconds, so as not to make a mistake.

How to fry seeds in a frying pan: about flavoring additives

Roasted pumpkin seeds taste like peanuts. This suggests an idea: why not treat them with nut oil before frying to emphasize this taste even more? These seeds will come in handy if you add them to some original salad or sprinkle bread baked with bran or oatmeal.

There are varieties of pumpkin with “naked” seeds, which can be kept in a salty or, on the contrary, sweet solution before frying, which can significantly expand the assortment not only for snacking, but also create interesting dishes.

Let's summarize what has been said: frying seeds in a frying pan is incredibly easy!