How to dry pumpkin seeds in the oven, microwave, dryer

Pumpkin seeds are a tasty, healthy and nutritious product containing a lot of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other valuable biological substances. There are several simple and affordable ways to dry pumpkin seeds at home. Thanks to this, you can enjoy the pleasant and favorite taste from childhood throughout the year.

Preparing seeds for drying

There are several simple ways to dry pumpkin seeds, but regardless of the technology chosen, they need to be properly prepared. You can use any type of pumpkin for drying.

How to prepare seeds:

cut the pumpkin in half, being careful not to damage the seeds;
remove the seeds from the pulp with a spoon;
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pour the seeds into a colander and rinse under running water;
spread the seeds on a paper towel or cloth and leave to dry.

Before sending pumpkin seeds for drying, inspect them carefully. Only seeds that are uniformly white in color can be eaten. If there are dark stripes or spots on them, it is better to discard this 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.

How to Air Dry Pumpkin Seeds

Drying pumpkin seeds in natural conditions is one of the simplest and most accessible ways to prepare a healthy product. To do this, sprinkle the seeds in a thin layer on a tray, baking sheet or other surface covered with a sheet of baking parchment.

Leave the seeds to dry for several days. Remember to cover them with gauze or a thin cloth to protect them from insects. At night and in humid weather, the tray should be moved indoors.

To check drying, try breaking the shell - it should become brittle and separate well from the kernel.

Benefits of seeds

The fibrous core of the pumpkin contains its seeds. They contain many useful substances:

Amino acids (lysine, histidine, arginine, isoleucine, methionine, valine, leucine).
Vitamins (A, E, K, C, PP, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9).
Potassium.
Magnesium.
Phosphorus.
Calcium.
Iron.
Zinc.
Selenium.

Due to their composition, pumpkin seeds have a healing effect for the following problems in the body:

Hypertonic disease.
High cholesterol levels.
Insomnia.
Depression.
Osteoporosis.
Arthritis.
Skin laxity.
Inflammation of the prostate gland.
Heart disorders.
Helminths.
Diabetes.
Constipation.
Thyroid diseases.
Poor blood clotting.
Deterioration of vision.
Weak immunity.
Memory impairment.
Male infertility.
Seasickness.
Lack of protein.

Of course, for maximum impact, the seeds are best consumed raw. But to improve the taste and ease of use, there are several ways to heat treat seeds.

Drying pumpkin seeds in the oven

In order to reduce the drying time of pumpkin seeds, you can use the oven. Due to the exposure to high temperatures, the entire process will take no more than half an hour.

How to dry pumpkin seeds in the oven:

preheat the oven to 80°C;
sprinkle the seeds in a thin layer on a baking sheet;
place the pan in the oven for 20-25 minutes;
dry, stirring constantly with the door open.

The drying temperature depends on the size of the pumpkin seeds. Small ones can be dried at 60°C, larger specimens at 100°C.

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.

How to make a pumpkin seed dryer

Among the main ways to dry pumpkin seeds, many summer residents choose to use a special dryer. This is a simple and convenient device that helps preserve the crunchy taste and healthy composition of the seeds.

Three types of devices are used for drying - solar, with air fans and infrared heating elements. The first design is practical and simple; you can easily do it yourself, saving on the purchase of an expensive device. It does not require electricity or fans to operate.

The solar dryer is a box with a mesh front part, located at an angle so that the sun illuminates the trays with pumpkin seeds, vegetables or fruits. The use of a metal box is undesirable, as it will become very hot under the sun's rays.

How to make a pumpkin seed dryer with your own hands:

Prepare wooden blocks and sheets of the same size and assemble the frame of the box from them.
Cover its walls with sheets of plywood.
From the same beams that were used for the structure, make legs for the box.
For shelves, prepare 20x20 mm slats. They should be rectangular in shape and slightly narrower in width than the dryer.
Install rail guides horizontally inside the drawer; their size should be 20x20 cm. There should be a distance of at least 10-13 cm between the shelves.
Install the structure at an angle - the sun's rays should evenly illuminate the shelves with seeds.
Be sure to make ventilation holes at the ends of the housing and cover them with a mosquito net to protect against insects.

It is best to cover the bottom of the dryer with a sheet of metal, which will heat up and speed up the drying of the seeds.

Methods for drying pumpkin seeds

There are options for preparing this product for the winter and with their own rules. Everyone chooses the most suitable and possible one. Depending on the drying method, both temperature and time will vary.

Dry pumpkin seeds at home

Many may think that drying pumpkin seeds at home on their own is quite troublesome and takes up a lot of precious time, which is already in short supply. Believe me, it only seems like it! After all, once you pay attention to this matter, you will receive vitamins all year round.

In air at room temperature

The raw materials are laid out on a baking sheet or tray lined with clean paper in one layer. The room where drying takes place must be warm, dry and well ventilated. This harvesting method takes a decent amount of time - 15-20 days, so it is better to cover the product with gauze to avoid dust and insects.

In the oven

To dry pumpkin seeds in the oven, initially preheat the oven to 60-80°C. While heating is in progress, you need to prepare a metal baking sheet by covering it with baking paper or foil. Then lay out the product in one layer and put it in the oven, where it should be kept for 20-30 minutes, stirring from time to time. Turn off the heat and leave the pan inside until it cools completely. If you want to add flavor to your product, then after drying you can sprinkle it with salt, sugar or any spice, at your own discretion.

In a frying pan

The choice of this device indicates that the harvester is a lover of enjoying well-roasted seeds. If you use a regular gas stove, drying should be done over medium heat. If you are using a hob, then bring it to 100-120°C. In both cases, the process takes 15 minutes, no more.

Attention! The product may burn, so do not leave it unattended and stir constantly!

In the microwave

Place the seeds on a plate or special microwave-safe dish, having previously covered the bottom of the dish with paper. Place it inside the oven and dry for 2 minutes at the highest power, then stir and dry again at medium power for several minutes. If the product is not ready, you can repeat the process again.

In an electric grill

The electric grill is not intended for drying any food, but resourceful and savvy housewives have found an approach to this unit:

heated to 60°C;
the seeds are also laid out in one layer on the selected dish and placed on the frying surface;
dry for 20-30 minutes, periodically testing for doneness.

Attention! Since the electric grill has a built-in fan, the seeds require close attention when drying, because... may dry out and fry faster than the set time!

In an electric dryer

Basically, the electric dryer is used for drying and drying mushrooms, berries, fruits and vegetables, but it can also be suitable for drying pumpkin seeds. To do this you need:

heat the unit to 70°C;
spread the seeds on trays in a thin layer;
dry for several hours, swapping trays and stirring every hour.

Important! Despite the long drying, the product does not lose its beneficial qualities, unlike frying!

In a convection oven

The raw material is placed in the device, and the airflow is turned on at maximum power. When drying, it is necessary to open the lid slightly, because... the hot air that is blown on the seeds will contribute to the accumulation of moisture. It is necessary to ensure maximum airflow. For half an hour you don’t have to worry about what’s happening.

In a slow cooker

Using this device, you can dry the seeds under the same conditions as in a frying pan. If the multicooker has a “Multi-cook” function, this will greatly facilitate the process, because... By setting the temperature to 35-40°C, you can not monitor it for 30-40 minutes. At this temperature the seeds will not burn. In this drying option, they can be laid out not in one row, but in a layer of several centimeters. Even in this volume, all seeds will be equally dried.

In natural conditions

Drying seeds naturally is only done in the fresh air. This method is suitable for everyone, even sloths, because... Nature will do everything. The most important thing is not to miss the beginning of rainy weather, otherwise you will have to start the process from scratch, and there is also a risk that the seeds will spoil.

Outdoors

This method is the most long-term and can take several days or even weeks. Everything depends in this case on the weather. The drying process will take place quickly if there are warm, sunny days outside:

Scatter the seeds onto the surface of a selected dish lined with paper or paper towels.
It is better to use metal utensils (baking tray or tray), because... in the sun it becomes very hot and, accordingly, transfers heat to the seeds, thereby speeding up the drying process.
Make sure that they stand in the sun all the time, avoiding the shade in every possible way.
Bring it home at night, as there is very high humidity outside at night.
To protect against insects, you can cover with gauze or tulle.
Dry until ready to eat.

How to store dried seeds

To preserve the crunchy taste and beneficial properties of the seeds, you need to consider how to store pumpkin seeds after drying. To do this, you need to remember about temperature, air humidity and good ventilation.

To store seeds, it is best to use glass, hermetically sealed containers, fabric bags or thick cardboard boxes. The container should not allow air to pass through, otherwise the product will quickly become moldy and damp.

The best option for storing pumpkin seeds would be a dark, dry and well-ventilated room with air humidity no higher than 40-50%. The air temperature should be between 22-26°C.

Pumpkin seeds are a natural product with a pleasant, crunchy taste, valuable composition and many beneficial properties. You can prepare it yourself using simple and affordable methods for drying pumpkin seeds. With a minimum of effort, you can provide the whole family with a delicious and healthy superfood.

Storage

During heat treatment, the seeds acquire a pleasant nutty flavor. If further long-term storage is expected, there is no need to clean them in advance. After frying or drying, the product is cooled and packaged in fabric, canvas bags or glass, opaque containers.

The stock must be protected from sun rays, temperature changes, dampness, and contact with air. The optimal solution in this regard is sealed packaging using a special device - a food vacuum sealer. In cases where a musty, rotten odor, rancid or bitter taste appears, the workpiece is disposed of.

Experienced housewives often use pumpkin seeds when baking homemade bread.

Separately, it is worth noting that there are pumpkins with seeds without a hard shell (“Golosemyanka”, “Styrian oily”, “Holosernaya round”). The seeds of these varieties are covered with a translucent, soft, edible film and have increased oiliness. Due to the high fat content, their taste is slightly different. Since the “naked” kernels are not protected by the husk, much less time is required to dry and fry them.

Seeds of gymnosperms varieties stored for food are practically unsuitable for long-term storage. They, like peeled ones, are consumed immediately after preparation or stored in a dark glass container in the refrigerator for no more than a month.

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Pumpkin oil

Regular consumption of pumpkin seed oil strengthens the immune system, stimulates metabolism, helps lose weight, and improves the condition of skin and hair. The beneficial properties of pumpkin oil are used for diseases of the heart, blood vessels, liver, gall and bladder, and prostatitis. This healthy and tasty product treats gastritis, prevents the development of chronic inflammation, relieves heartburn, and maintains the elasticity of the skin and blood vessels.

A high-quality product is obtained by cold pressing. But sometimes heat and moisture are used to increase the linoleic acid content.

Essential linolenic and linoleic acids come exclusively from the diet.
Palmitic acid reduces the level of “bad” cholesterol and prevents the formation of clots on the walls of the arteries.
Stearic acid maintains optimal cholesterol levels.

Pumpkin oil is beneficial for its high content of easily digestible proteins, vitamins A, E, F, C, P, and group B.

The composition includes biologically active substances important for health:

phytosterols reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine and prevent malignant formations;
phospholipids stimulate fat metabolism, improve skin condition in psoriasis, eczema, and senile parchment skin. They perform immunomodulatory and regenerative functions, participate in the transfer of vitamins, and regulate the activity of individual enzymes.
flavonoids have antioxidant and tanning properties, some have antimicrobial effects.
tocopherols protect tissues from the harmful effects of lactic acid, prevent loss of strength and anemia. Participate in protein synthesis and are necessary for tissue respiration and various processes of cellular metabolism.
Carotenoids are involved in redox and metabolic processes, slow down aging, take part in the growth of bone and dental tissues, and have a beneficial effect on visual acuity and the synthesis of visual pigment in the retina.

Microelements are represented by zinc, iron, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium. The high zinc content contributes to the production of insulin, strengthening the immune system, and optimal metabolic reactions.

The antioxidant properties of pumpkin oil protect cell membranes, slow down the aging process, and rejuvenate the body.

Recipe from our subscriber

But our subscriber Roman Ivgenev has his own recipe for making pumpkin seed paste. And it is significantly different from those presented on the Internet. Roman writes:

Homemade paste made from pumpkin seeds is good - you grind it in a blender, you get a thick paste that is very reminiscent of peanut butter. It takes a minimum of time, the main thing is to have the necessary household appliances on hand.

Roman also adds:

I don’t add anything at all to the finished product. No oil, no salt. Store pumpkin seed paste in a 500g glass jar in the refrigerator. The supply is enough for one person for a month if you regularly eat one teaspoon in the morning during breakfast.

You can purchase pumpkin seeds online, buy nuts, dried fruits, and sweets on the website with delivery in St. Petersburg, the Leningrad region or any other region of your choice.

When to collect seeds, how to choose suitable raw materials

Choose only healthy pumpkins. This vitamin-rich vegetable is harvested in the second ten days of September. The color must be uniform and the shape correct. Plant only pumpkins that are intended for seed. It is advisable to choose a place for it away from other plants.

Collect seeds from fruits ripened before frost and stored for storage. Keep the cut pumpkin indoors for at least a month, and only then start cutting it. Large, light-colored seeds with a hard, elastic core are suitable for drying. Dark seeds should not be eaten. If they are soft and rotten, it is better to throw them away.

Recipes with pumpkin seeds

Healthy dishes are not only prepared from pumpkin pulp - peeled kernels are also widely used. They are added to salads, sauces, sweet pastries, bread, confectionery, and smoothies.

Spicy appetizer with thyme and red pepper

To prepare pumpkin seeds with a rich taste, preheat the oven to 150 degrees, cover a baking sheet with parchment. In one bowl mix 2 tbsp. peeled pumpkin kernels, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 2 tbsp. olive oil. In a separate container, combine 1 tbsp. lemon zest, chopped parsley and thyme, as well as 1 tsp. salt and red pepper.

The resulting aromatic mass is added to the kernels. Mix everything, spread it in one layer and cook for 20 minutes - in the middle of the cycle, turn the pan and stir the contents. The finished product should be golden brown in color.

Growing pumpkin from seeds

Vitamin salad with cherry tomatoes

250 g of cherry tomatoes are cut in half, 100 g of lettuce leaves are torn by hand, a peeled red onion is cut into half rings. Sprinkle vegetables with lemon juice, add a pinch of salt, 1 tbsp. pumpkin oil and stir. The top of the salad is decorated with cheese cubes and toasted pumpkin seeds (2-3 tbsp).

Grain bread with sour cream

To 1 tbsp. add 1 tsp of heated milk. sugar, 10 g of dry yeast and a couple of tablespoons of flour. In a separate bowl combine 100 g of sour cream, an egg, 2 g of salt, 60 ml of olive oil. After a foamy “cap” appears on the dough, the resulting mass is added to it, mixed, 250 g of flour and a grain mixture are added, including flax grains (30 g), sunflower kernels (30 g) and pumpkin (70 g). Another 100-130 g of flour is added to the dough. The mass is transferred to a form covered with parchment, sprinkled with a mixture of pumpkin kernels and caraway seeds. Bake at 200 degrees for about half an hour.

Roast with cayenne pepper and cinnamon

For 1 tsp. 200 g of pumpkin seeds are fried in olive oil - the process takes about 4-5 minutes. Then they are transferred to a deep plate, 0.5 tsp is added. salt, cayenne pepper, cinnamon powder.

From 600 g of sugar, 1 tbsp. lemon juice and 340 ml of water with constant stirring, cook the syrup. After it acquires a light amber hue, it is turned off and poured into a container with seeds. The mixture is quickly stirred and transferred to a baking sheet lined with parchment. After 30 minutes, the grilled meat cools completely and hardens. It is split into pieces of the required size and placed in a hermetically sealed container.

Smoothie

Place 2 handfuls of pumpkin seeds, banana slices and cored apple into a blender. The mass is crushed, 200 ml of low-fat milk is added and beaten.

Almond milk analogue

Pumpkin seeds are ground in a blender. The mass is diluted with purified water in a ratio of 1:3 and mixed well. This vitamin “milk” is convenient to add to cocktails.

Pumpkin seeds become an independent high-calorie snack; many know them as a tasty and healthy addition to various dishes; vitamin cocktails are made with the addition of aromatic kernels. When using pumpkin seeds, it is important to make sure that they are of good quality - if drying rules are not followed, the product quickly deteriorates, acquires a bitter taste and a rotten aroma.

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.

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.

Which pumpkin is better to plant?