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Probably the wrong website for this, but nevermind here goes....

Edible pumpkin seeds why are they good for you? ???

because they are yummy!

I think they are high in protein.

WHat I want to know is - are they edible straight out of the fruit or do you need to cook them? If so - how?

For baked pumpkin seeds bake cleaned pumpkin "pips" at 150 degrees C until dry. Sprinkle with salt and serve as a snack with drinks. I believe you can also fry them but have never tried that myself.

Cook mine with a little olive oil and various spices, such as cajun, in the oven. Will dig out the recipe for you!
Tis as follows

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
2 Cups Pumpkin Seeds
2 Tablespoons Oil (Vegetable or Olive)
1 Teaspoon salt

Rinse well in cold water, making sure you have rinsed away any fibrous strings. Pat thoroughly dry, add the oil, and salt, stir well to coat seeds. Spread seeds on baking sheet in a single layer, bake at 350F , 180C , Gas 4, until crisp and golden, 12 to 15 mins. Taste for seasoning add more salt if required.
Variations
Herbed seeds....add 1 Tblspn dried rosemary and 1 Tblspn dried basil plus the salt
Spicey.....2 Tspns chilli powder  with salt
Indian.... 1 1/2 Tblspns curry powder and pinch cayenne plus salt
Cajun........cajun spices

But why eat them!! Why are they good for you!! ::)

My book says " The seeds are an excellent source of iron and phosphorus, and are rich in potassium, magnesium and Zinc" Answer your question Nobbyman! ;D  It also says in natural medicine they are used as a treatment for intestinal worms! Also can be used for prostate and urinary problems.

kool 8) Thanks Mrs Pinks!!

On that 'You are what you eat' program, the awful doctor on there is constanly telling people to eat lots of pumpkin seeds as they are full of zinc, and apparently zinc ups your sex drive!  Why else do you think I am growing so many pumkpins?!?!  hehehe.

Doris, your recipe, I assume these are cleaned, de-shucked seeds?  I love them but to get lots, they take a lot of 'peeling'.

EJ, cleaned but not shucked! Eat the husks as well, If I had to de-shell every one I would NEVER make them!! ;D (I am sure the roughage is good for you too  :o)

Hqave just roasted my first pumpkin seeds. Yum! Gave them a coating of Jamaican curry seasoning and oh my god they're good. Don't know what took me so long!

DP & co, what about sunflower seeds?  I love them and have 8 lovely huge heads packed with them up at the plot.  Can I treat them the same and eat them husks and all??