Cure sunflower seeds properly so that you can roast them in the oven to make a healthy snack.
Sunflowers can reach up to 6 feet in height. The annual flowers produce seeds that you can replant or roast. The seeds need to be harvested properly so that you can cure them. If you do not cure the sunflower seeds, they will contain too much moisture. This moisture can make the sunflower seeds spoil quickly. The sunflower seeds are high in vitamin E, magnesium and thiamine, which makes the seeds a healthy alternative to many snack foods.
Instructions
Cure Sunflower Seeds
1. Remove the sunflower head once the back of it appears brown. The leaves will have fallen from the sunflower head as well.
2. Poke five to six small holes in the bottom of the paper bags to allow for air circulation. Place the sunflower head in a brown paper bag upside down. Hang the paper bag in a warm and dry location for two weeks.
3. Remove the sunflower head from the brown paper bag after it cures for two weeks. Hold the head over a large bowl and run your fingers across the seeds. The seeds will fall into the bowl.
4. Spread the sunflower seeds onto a cookie sheet in a single layer. Allow them to cure in a dry and warm location for two weeks or until the shells appear brittle.
Roast Sunflower Seeds
5. Rinse 1 cup of sunflower seeds in a colander in the sink under cool water. Remove any dirt and debris from the seeds.
6. Place 2 quarts of water into a saucepan. Add 1/4 cup of salt if you want the seeds to have a salty flavor. Bring the water to a full boil and then add the sunflower seeds. Simmer the water and boil them for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
7. Place the sunflower seeds into a colander to drain the water. Spread them into a single layer on paper towels to allow the seeds to air dry.
8. Heat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a clean cookie sheet. Roast the sunflower seeds in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Stir them every five minutes to prevent them from burning. Remove the seeds once they appear golden brown. Allow them to cool for 15 minutes.
9. Place them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
Tags: sunflower seeds, sunflower head, single layer, Allow them, brown paper, cookie sheet
