Pumpkins can do so much more for you than decorate your front porch this fall. They are highly nutritious and you can gain many health benefits by eating pumpkin, its seeds, and using the oil made from those seeds. This plant provides many of the important nutrients you need all in a few tasty packages. We all need to eat more pumpkin.
Pumpkin seeds are best when the hull has been removed, although some people enjoy chewing on the white hull. Inside you will find a green seed. Roasted, they are a great snack to munch whenever you want something crunchy. They can be added to salads, used as garnish on pumpkin soup, or added to snack mixes.
Some areas of the United States enjoy the seeds marinated and roasted. They have been used as a food since the time of the Aztecs in the Americas. In Greece, the seeds are enjoyed in the hull with a little salt.
Pumpkin seeds are a good source of zinc and amino acids. They are useful for preventing urinary tract infections, prostate cancer and to keep the reproductive tract in good working order. Pumpkin seeds are pretty low in calories and are free of cholesterol.
The oil made from pumpkin seeds is full of zinc, vitamins A, E, omega 3, and omega 6 fatty acids. These fatty acids are needed to maintain good health. Once the oil is heated, the fatty acids are ruined. Pumpkin seed oil has been in use since 1697. The oil can be used in salad dressings or in desserts. It has a rich flavor that is harmed by browning. The oil can be poured over ice cream to add a nutty quality. You can also use the oil as a top garnish for pumpkin soup.
Eastern Europe is where most pumpkin seed oil comes from. It is used most frequently as a gourmet ingredient. China makes an oil from white pumpkin seeds that is used as a cooking oil or as an ingredient in recipes. You can also mix up pumpkin seed oil with yogurt to make a nutty, green dish. Good pumpkin seed oil will be anywhere from a pale green to a dark red, depending on the thickness of the oil.
When it comes to the meat of the pumpkin, there are all sorts of vitamins and minerals to help sustain you. It is also easy to cook. If you want to serve it in an unusual way, try serving your soup in a pumpkin. The pumpkin shell can be hollowed out and warmed before filling it with pumpkin soup. It is a very suitable way to serve this wonderful soup.
The lowly pumpkin is surprisingly nutritious. It meets many of the needs we have to remain healthy. Eating all the edible parts of the pumpkin will provide many nutrients that we need. The seeds and oil are a wonderful addition. Add more pumpkin to your diet and see if you do not feel better.
When you make the Bobby Flay pumpkin soup be prepared for some heat! He is known for his southwestern style of cooking, and his pumpkin soup is no different. Full of chipotle peppers, this soup is spicy and unique. If you like spice, this soup is for you.