| - | Pumpkin seed recipeTake advantage of pumpkin's nutritional value | Pumpkins are considered to have enormous nutritional value even though we tend to think of them as just something fun to do for Halloween. Pumpkins give not only the fruit we are familiar with, some of them actually have edible delicious flowers, seeds, and of course, the pulp. People in Africa enjoy pumpkin fritters and pumpkin leaves with nuts. So what is in a pumpkin from nutritional standpoint? The fruit itself is a carbohydrate, but is not an empty carbohydrate – it has a lot of nutrients, among them, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin C, folate, and vitamin A. | |
| | Pumpkin seeds One of the most nutritious, and perhaps, healthiest parts of the pumpkin are its seeds. Many indigenous tribes worldwide have used them in their food as we use nuts or just as a snack. Pumpkin seeds are rich in nutrients. They have a lot of calories just like nuts, but these are not empty calories. They have protein, fiber, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorous. They also have amino acids like arginine and glutamic acid. They have traces of other important nutrients such as calcium, potassium, zinc, selenium, folate, and niacin. They have fat, but it is considered as good fat. Gillian Taylforth, the English actress, eats them regularly for breakfast, along with yoghurt and muesli. | Pumpkin seeds have some medical uses as well and new studies have shown that they may be beneficial in reducing the risk of some prostate problems. They have anti-inflammatory properties, which helps in the treatment of arthritis. In China, they have been used in the treatment of depression and learning disorders. 
How to eat the seeds? In some cultures they are used to enrich the flavor and texture of sauces such as molè, pipian and other traditional dishes. Hispanic people often eat toasted pumpkin seeds as a snack. They can also be toasted and ground and used directly over salads, raw mango and other acidic fruits, and with stir fries etc. There are many recipes using these foods that many consider a wonder food. You can also use pumpkin seed oil in salads. |
| | | Where to buy the pumpkin seeds? Of course the easiest way to buy pumpkin seeds is online. You can get better quality that way. You can also buy them in some health food stores, specialty stores and ethnic shops. They are sold in many forms: pumpkin seeds in the shell, shelled, roasted, ground, and raw. | | |
