Pumpkin seeds are full of healthy nutrients.
The pulp inside a pumpkin isn't the only part of the fruit you can eat. Pumpkin seeds are not only edible but also good for you. They contain vital nutrients such as iron, zinc and tryptophan. You can purchase them in a store, but they are freshest when you scoop them from a pumpkin. The seeds don't have to be shelled, either; some people prefer to eat them whole.
Snacking
People eat pumpkin seeds as a snack all year long, and it's a tradition to roast them for a treat after cleaning out pumpkins to make jack-o'-lanterns for Halloween. Some prefer to strip the seeds of their shells before eating them, but the shells are edible, too. You'll also find pumpkin seeds tossed with granola and trail mixes.
Garnish
Usually when pumpkin seeds are used as a garnish, they're removed from their shells. It's common to see the seeds sprinkled on top of breads, muffins and other pastries that are made from pumpkin. They are also used as a topping for cereals, salads and sauteed or roasted vegetables. Pumpkin seeds can even be used for salad dressing; they are ground with such spices as cilantro and garlic, then mixed with lemon juice and olive oil to top the salad.
Cuisine
Pumpkin seeds are a common ingredient in Indian and Mexican cuisine. In Mexican dishes, they are incorporated into sauces, pesto and a Mexican peanut brittle called palanquetas. For Indian meals, they are mixed into hummus and used to make sweet desserts such as char magaz, which is like a candy bar made with seeds and nuts. Pumpkin seeds have made their way into American foods, too. Some veggie burgers contain pumpkin seeds, and they are a good complement when blended into oatmeal raisin cookie dough.
Medicinal Purposes
According to the Holistic Online website, 17th-century medical practitioners in the Far East recommended pumpkin seeds to relieve various ailments. Pumpkins seeds have been used to reduce symptoms related to gout, get rid of parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms and improve male virility. They can also encourage milk production in nursing mothers and relieve constipation by acting as a laxative.
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