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Pumpkin seed recipe
Take 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
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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.
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