Many passionate gardeners like to keep the seeds of their crop. Pumpkin seeds can be used to make new pumpkins the following year, but also as a delicious snack. They are among the easiest seeds to obtain, as they are large and generally very numerous within each pumpkin. Before you can plant or roast them, you need to clean and dry them properly.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Obtaining and Cleaning the Seeds
Step 1. Cut the pumpkin to gain access to the seeds
Place it on a flat surface, insert the tip of a large knife into the peel next to the petiole and push it gently into the pulp and downwards at the same time, waving the blade slightly from right to left to widen the gap. Continue until you have reached the base of the pumpkin, then repeat the same steps on the opposite side with the aim of opening it halfway.
- After carving the entire circumference of the pumpkin, push the blade all the way to the center to open it in two. Help yourself by separating the two parts with your hands.
- Hold the pumpkin steady with your non-dominant hand, but be careful not to place it in the path of the knife.
Step 2. Extract the seeds with a large spoon
Most will come out with ease. If some seeds stick to the pulp, just scrape it gently with the tip of the spoon. If you don't mind getting dirty, you can use your hands to extract seeds that you can't peel or spoon at.
If you have an ice cream portioner at home, you will find that it is also very useful for extracting the seeds from the pumpkin
Step 3. Remove the pulp and filaments from the seeds
The simplest solution is to use your hands. If you intend to dry them and then roast them, don't worry about cleaning them perfectly from the pulp, it will give even more taste to the seeds. If you intend to plant them, it is important that they are perfectly clean.
If you can't separate some seeds from the pulp or filaments, soak them in water. The pulp will soften and you will be able to detach them more easily
Step 4. Rinse the seeds under cold running water
Put a colander in the sink and pour all the seeds into it. Let the cold water run and move the colander in a circle to wash them well. After rinsing them, put the colander back in the center of the sink and mix them with your hands, under the jet of water, to also reach the underside of the seeds and those on the bottom.
- If you notice that there is some pulp left, gently peel it off with your hands;
- Don't worry if the seeds are slimy, it doesn't mean they're not clean.
Step 5. Blot the seeds with kitchen paper several times to dry them
Line a flat surface with two or three sheets of blotting paper, pour the seeds over them, and then dab them with more dry paper to absorb the water. Continue dabbing them until they are completely dry and then pour them into a clean bowl.
Check once again that there are no residual pulp or unwanted filaments
Part 2 of 4: Drying the Seeds in the Air
Step 1. Spread the seeds over the surface of a baking sheet or tray
Spread them evenly with your hands in a single layer. Ideally they shouldn't touch each other.
If one pan isn't enough to spread the pumpkin seeds in a single layer, use a few more
Step 2. Leave the seeds to dry in a cool, dry place for at least a month
It is important to keep them away from moisture and ensure good airflow to the seeds, and they must also be protected from direct sunlight. The cellar is not a suitable place as it is most likely damp, while the garage may be poorly ventilated; if possible, it is best to put them to dry in a tool shed.
- Check the seeds daily and turn them to make sure they dry on both sides;
- Do not leave them heaped, otherwise they will not dry out and could mold;
- Allowing them to air dry naturally is the most effective and safest method, but also the one that takes the most time.
Step 3. Once dry, store the seeds in a paper bag until ready to eat or plant
Keep them in a cool, dry corner of the kitchen. If the weather doesn't allow it, put them in the refrigerator.
If any seeds have mold, throw them away
Part 3 of 4: Drying the Seeds with the Dryer
Step 1. Spread the seeds on the dryer grid in a single layer
Check for overlapping seeds. If the grid is large mesh, line it with parchment paper to prevent the seeds from falling to the bottom of the dryer.
Do not use more than one rack at a time or the seeds will not dry out evenly
Step 2. Dry the seeds at a temperature between 46 and 49 ° C for 1-2 hours
Turn on the dryer and set the timer to remind you to stir the seeds every 20 minutes to make sure they dry evenly.
By drying the seeds with the dryer you run the risk of some of them being spoiled, which generally does not happen when you leave them to dry in the air. However, the chances of damaging them are less than when drying them in the oven
Step 3. Once dry, store the seeds in a paper bag
Put them in a cool, dry place to prevent them from rehydrating by absorbing the humidity from the environment. If the weather doesn't allow it, keep them in the refrigerator. Use them when you are ready to roast them or during planting season.
At any time, if you notice that some seeds have become moldy, throw them away
Part 4 of 4: Drying the Seeds in the Oven
Step 1. Turn on the oven to the lowest available temperature (50-70 ° C)
Place the rack on the lowest shelf and wait for the oven to heat up before putting the seeds in the oven.
For accuracy, you can use an oven thermometer
Step 2. Let the pumpkin seeds dry in the oven for 3-4 hours
Spread them evenly across a baking sheet, making sure they don't overlap each other. Bake them on the lowest shelf and let them dry at the lowest temperature for your oven model. It usually takes about 3-4 hours.
- Stir the seeds with a spoon every 20-30 minutes to prevent them from burning;
- If you intend to use them for planting, you must be especially careful not to scorch them. Heat damaged seeds will not germinate;
- Drying pumpkin seeds in the oven is risky because the intense heat could easily damage them making them unusable.
Step 3. Once dry, store the seeds in a paper bag until you are ready to eat them or plant them in the ground
You can use them as a healthy and delicious snack or for next year sowing.
- At any time, if you notice that some seeds have become moldy, throw them away.
- Store the seeds in a cool, dry place. If the weather doesn't allow it, keep them in the fridge or freezer.
Advice
- Dry the seeds before roasting them to eat as a snack. When they are dry, the oil and spices adhere better to the outer surface of the seeds which therefore become more crunchy.
- Once you have learned the techniques for drying pumpkin seeds, you can also apply the same methods to dry and store other varieties of seeds for use during the next sowing.
Warnings
- Spread the seeds out so they are not touching each other to ensure good airflow that will help them dry out evenly.
- If mold develops on dried seeds, throw them away.
- Eating too many pumpkin seeds can result in an overdose of vitamin B6 and could be fatal. Eat them in moderation.
