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Pumpkin Seeds

koreshot

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I picked up a bag of lightly salted roasted still in shell pumpkin seeds from Trader Joes and I have a question on how to properly eat them.

I have been using the technique where I crack the seed with my teeth, eat the center and spit out the shell. My coworkers tell me you are supposed to eat the whole thing. So this is a two part question:

a. Is the proper pumpking seed eating method with shells or without?
b. Where is the nutritional value the highest? Is it the seed itself or the shell?

Thanks.
 

Greg

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I usually eat the whole thing. You're thinking sunflower seeds.
 

bvibert

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Pretty sure you're supposed to eat the whole thing. I have no idea about the nutritional value though..
 

severine

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I have seen shelled pumpkin seeds for sale, so some people definitely don't eat the shells. That said, I always eat them whole.
 

Greg

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I eat the whole thing for sunflower seeds also.

Fantastic ruffage.

You ever get a sunflower seed shell jammed up into your gum? OUCH! :blink:
 

cbcbd

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I eat the whole pumpkin seed.
Buying seeds from Trader Joe's? C'mon, you gotta make your own from all the pumpkins you carved for Halloween!! ;)
 

koreshot

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You ever get a sunflower seed shell jammed up into your gum? OUCH! :blink:

I definitely don't eat shells with sunflower seeds. That is a no brainer I think. I have also heard that aside from the shells getting stuck in your teeth, they are bad for your apendix. This is almost certainly a myth, but it kinda scares me anyway.

I eat the whole pumpkin seed.
Buying seeds from Trader Joe's? C'mon, you gotta make your own from all the pumpkins you carved for Halloween!! ;)

I used to do that a while back but its just too much work. Plus I don't celebrate Halloween, its a pagan ritual gone wrong... :)


Still looking for input on the nutritional value comparison of shells vs. no shells...
 

marcski

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Since I'm eating lunch (Not pumpkin seeds) and am desperately trying not to do all the work on my desk...I did a quick google search:

Apparently the shells are good for your intestines:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Nutrition-Dieting-939/Pumpkin-seed-shells.htm

A couple of interesting things...I also found: Talk about genetic research:

"PUMPKIN SEEDS Raw, shelled pumpkin seeds are dark green and absolutely delicious. Until recently they were difficult to find, but have become more plentiful due to government effort. The U. S. Department of Agriculture combined the flavor of a good tasting pumpkin seed with the genetics of a shell-less seed variety, resulting in a gourmet pumpkin seed that does not have to be dehulled."

Here's another link with some detailed nutritional links and health benefits:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=82#healthbenefits

It appears that the nutrition comes from the seeds themselves. But the shells seem to provide the above-mentioned intestinal benefits.
 

Marc

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I definitely don't eat shells with sunflower seeds. That is a no brainer I think. I have also heard that aside from the shells getting stuck in your teeth, they are bad for your apendix. This is almost certainly a myth, but it kinda scares me anyway.



I used to do that a while back but its just too much work. Plus I don't celebrate Halloween, its a pagan ritual gone wrong... :)


Still looking for input on the nutritional value comparison of shells vs. no shells...

Yes Comrade... silly Americans and their masquarade rituals.
 

ski_resort_observer

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After carving several pumpkins last week we took a huge pile of seeds and threw them in the oven, lightly salted. They are so good tasting and so good for you, the best part, the kids like them too. It's good to show them alternatives to the over processed chemically injected snack foods.
 

Marc

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After carving several pumpkins last week we took a huge pile of seeds and threw them in the oven, lightly salted. They are so good tasting and so good for you, the best part, the kids like them too. It's good to show them alternatives to the over processed chemically injected snack foods.

And you go and contaminate their one natural snack that harsh chemical NaCl.

For shame, SRO, for shame.

:spin:
 
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