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Pumpkin is one of the few fruits that contains a huge amount of useful vitamins and minerals. At the same time, not only pumpkin pulp, but also its seeds are beneficial for the human body. Since ancient times, the Slavs have used them for medicinal and prophylactic purposes. After all, pumpkin seeds, being a storehouse of useful substances, have a beneficial effect on the entire body, improving the composition of the blood and normalizing its sugar level. In addition, they can even be called a natural antidepressant. Unfortunately, raw seeds can cause stomach upset and bloating in many people, so it's best to eat it fried. But you need to fry the pumpkin seeds correctly so that they remain as useful.
What are the benefits of roasted pumpkin seeds?
There are many opinions about the benefits and dangers of roasted pumpkin seeds. For example, many experts argue that raw pumpkin seeds are the most useful, because fried, in their opinion, have a small amount of useful substances, since most of them are lost during heat treatment. But in fact, fried pumpkin seeds contain a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals, if they have been properly fried.
If we consider the composition of raw pumpkin seeds, then they are half composed of oils. Thus, 100 g of this product contains 50 g of fat. Also, 100 g contains just a record amount of biologically active substances, such as:
- amino acids;
- vitamins PP, D, E, K and almost the entire group B, as well as alpha and beta carotene, lutein;
- potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, selenium, iron, copper;
- glycosides and alkaloids;
- antidepressants;
- vegetable protein;
- cellulose.
Thanks to such a rich composition, they have the following effects on the body:
- They normalize digestion, and also have a mild diuretic, laxative, antiparasitic effect.
- Normalize metabolism by helping to absorb micronutrients by lowering glucose levels.
- Helps remove toxins, salts and cholesterol from the body.
- Increase the amount of serotonin, reduce the susceptibility to pain.
- Strengthens blood vessels.
- They have a rejuvenating effect on the skin.
- They thin the blood and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
- They restore the functioning of the nervous system.
- Prevents the development of osteoporosis.
- They normalize sleep, relieve fatigue, and cheer up.
Roasted pumpkin seeds are especially beneficial for men, because they contain a large amount of zinc, which helps prevent the formation of prostate adenoma. It helps create an environment that is toxic to foreign cells.
How many calories are in roasted pumpkin seeds
Due to the large amount of oil and protein in pumpkin seeds, this product is quite high in calories. Raw seeds contain about 340 kcal. The calorie content of roasted pumpkin seeds reaches up to 600 kcal per 100 g.
Preparing pumpkin seeds for roasting
Preparing pumpkin seeds for roasting is a fairly simple matter, but it requires special attention, since the correctness of this process will affect the subsequent benefits of the product.
Do not overlook the fact that before cutting the pumpkin, it must be thoroughly washed. Indeed, not only dirt accumulates on its peel, but also pathogens.
After washing the pumpkin, wipe it with a paper towel, cut it in half and take out all the fibers with seeds, putting them on a plate. Then the seeds are separated from the fibers by hand, transferred to a colander and washed under running water.
Well washed seeds are spread on a cloth or gauze in a thin layer and left in a sunny place for 3-4 days. After this procedure, the seeds are ready for further roasting.
How to roast pumpkin seeds
You can fry pumpkin seeds not only in a pan, but also in the oven and even in the microwave. At the same time, in order to properly fry the seeds, you should familiarize yourself with the basic recommendations.
How to roast pumpkin seeds in the oven
Frying pumpkin seeds in the oven is convenient if their number is large enough.
Oven roasting method:
- Put parchment paper on a baking sheet and sprinkle the seeds on it.
- Then they are evenly distributed over the entire surface so that they are located in an even layer.
- A baking sheet with seeds is placed in an oven preheated to 140 degrees for 1 hour.
- After frying, the baking sheet is removed and the seeds are poured onto a plate lined with parchment paper to prevent overcooking.
How to fry pumpkin seeds in a pan
The most common cooking option is frying in a pan.
How to fry pumpkin seeds in a pan:
- Put the frying pan on the stove, heat it up.
- Pumpkin seeds are poured into a hot dry frying pan. Pour in such an amount so that the bottom of the pan is covered with an even thin layer, you should not add a lot of seeds, they will not be able to completely fry.
- Then reduce the heat to medium, and stirring constantly, bring the seeds to a golden state.
- After the shell has acquired a light brown hue, the fire is reduced. Stirring, fry until a crackling sound begins (this means that the shell is cracking). Then you can try the seeds for the degree of readiness, if they have reached the required roasting, then the stove is turned off, and the roasted seeds are poured onto parchment paper.
How to roast pumpkin seeds in the microwave
The easiest way to fry is to use the microwave.
Roasting seeds in the microwave:
- To fry pumpkin seeds in the microwave, they must be laid out in a thin layer on a special (microwave-safe) flat plate.
- Then it is placed in the microwave, set to full power and turned on for 1 minute.
- After a minute, the plate is removed, the seeds are mixed and again sent to the microwave for 1 minute.
You can cook pumpkin seeds in the microwave pretty quickly, but you won't be able to fry a large number of seeds in this way.
How to deliciously fry pumpkin seeds with salt
You can fry delicious pumpkin seeds with salt both in a pan and in the oven.
When frying in a pan to get salted seeds, it is advisable to soak them in a moderately salty water solution (50 g of salt per 500 ml of water) for 2-3 hours. Then they must be well blotted with a paper towel and only then fry.
In order to fry salted pumpkin seeds in the oven, you just need to salt them with fine salt before sending them to the oven.At the time of long frying in the oven, the salt will dissolve, the seeds are well saturated.
How to fry pumpkin seeds to open up
In order for the pumpkin seeds to open during frying, it is necessary to carry out some actions in advance that will help break the strength of the shell:
- Pumpkin seeds should be soaked in salt water for 2-3 hours.
- After soaking, the seeds must be transferred to a colander so that all the liquid is glass.
- Then you can slightly crush them with your hands (do not crush the shell).
- Slightly crumpled seeds need to be transferred to a deep plate and put under a press for 15-20 minutes.
After these steps, the seeds can be roasted. At the same time, a more intense, pronounced pumpkin aroma should appear during cooking.
How to deliciously fry pumpkin seeds in a pan with spices
There are many recipes for roasting pumpkin seeds with various spices. Depending on the flavor you want to get, you can use the following spices:
- hot red ground pepper;
- black pepper;
- garlic powder;
- sugar;
- nutmeg;
- cinnamon.
To fry hot pumpkin seeds, you can use the pepper and lemon juice recipe.
For frying you will need:
- unpeeled pumpkin seeds - 200 g;
- lemon juice - 1 tbsp. l .;
- ground red pepper - on the tip of a spoon;
- salt - 0.5 tsp.
Cooking process:
- Mix pumpkin seeds in a deep container with salt, pepper and lemon juice.
- Let the ingredients brew well.
- Preheat a skillet and sprinkle the seeds on top of it.
- Reduce heat, and stirring constantly, fry them for about 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the finished seeds to a plate and leave to cool completely.
How to store roasted pumpkin seeds
It is impossible to store roasted pumpkin seeds for a long time, as they quickly deteriorate and lose all their nutritional and taste qualities.
If necessary, a large amount of roasted seeds should be divided into several parts. Then place them in cloth bags and hang them in a place that is constantly ventilated. At the same time, the temperature should be moderate, a different temperature regime will contribute to the appearance of mold.
Conclusion
Frying pumpkin seeds to keep them healthy is not that difficult. But you should not abuse these products, because the use in large quantities can cause the opposite effect in the body.
