Nutty and salty with a crisp-chewy texture, pumpkin seeds make a nutritious and flavorful snack.  Boiled, baked, or even raw, pumpkin seeds are packed full of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.  Just one serving (about 1/4 cup) gives you almost half the recommended daily amounts of manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, vitamin K, and zinc.  Pumpkin seeds are a good source of protein and monounsaturated fats.

Not only are pumpkin seeds nutritional powerhouses, but they pack some pretty impressive health benefits as well.  Some of the health benefits associated with pumpkin seeds include bone health, anti-inflammatory properties, lower cholesterol levels, relief of prostate, bladder and kidney problems, help with depression and learning disabilities, and elimination of parasites from the body.

Pumpkins and their seeds were first enjoyed by Native American Indians who used them for nutrition and medicinal purposes.  Although pumpkin seeds have been enjoyed in a variety of ways throughout history, they have recently become more popular because of their unique nutritional content and health benefits.

There are many varieties of pumpkin seeds on the market today.  You can choose between raw vs. toasted, in shell vs. shelled, salted vs. unsalted, flavored vs. unflavored, the list goes on and on.  While shelled pumpkin seeds are readily available, in shell pumpkin seeds that have not been roasted and salted are harder to find.  Those with shells have more flavor and a crunchier texture than those without shells, and they contain more fiber to keep your digestive system functioning properly.  MannaHarvest.net is your best bet for obtaining these hard to find raw in shell pumpkin seeds at a great price!

Not sure what to do with your pumpkin seeds?  They can be added to a wide range of dishes, including salads, dressings, sauces, veggies, meats, cereal, and baked goods.

All varieties of pumpkin seeds are best when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and should be used within two months of purchase.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 27th, 2006 at 1:12 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.