It’s nearly impossible to shell raw pumpkin seeds, but a quick 15-minute boil should loosen them up. Once you’ve drained and cooled them, you can pinch the seeds individually to easily remove the shells (fun fact: the soft, green seeds are called pepitas).
Eating the Seeds
- Question Can the pumpkin seeds be ground?
Community Answer Yes. Pumpkin seeds are ground for many recipes, such as pumpkin butter and pumpkin flour. - Question Will eating pumpkin seeds keep me from going to the bathroom at night? Community Answer Pumpkin seeds do contain zinc, vitamin A and other nutrients that can improve the functioning of your urinary system, but eating them alone wont stop you from needing to go to the bathroom at night. Focus on improving your overall diet and stop drinking liquids a few hours before you go to bed to reduce the problem.
- Question In the recipe above, the seeds are white, but pepitas are usually green. Does the cooking turn them white?
Community Answer It just depends upon the type of pumpkin used. For example, most jack-o-lantern pumpkins are white on the inside. A Queensland pumpkin, however, is green on the inside. Both kinds of seeds are edible and delicious.
- Many of these methods can also be used for seeds from other vegetables in the gourd family. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 3
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- To prevent burning yourself keep your hands and arms out of the way of the water when straining the seeds after boiling them. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 6
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To shell a large batch of pumpkin seeds, scoop them out of the pumpkin and clean them in a strainer under cool, running water. Spread the seeds out on a firm surface, like a cutting board or countertop, and gently roll a rolling pin over them. Use just enough pressure to crack the shells without smashing the seeds inside. Put some water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil on the stove, then boil the seeds for about 5 minutes, or until the seeds separate from their shells. Strain off the water and discard the shells, then spread the seeds out on a tray lined with paper towels to cool and dry off. If you want to shell pumpkin seeds one at a time, keep reading!
How to Shell Pumpkin Seeds
FAQ
How do you remove the outer shell from pumpkin seeds?
Should you remove the shell on pumpkin seeds?
How do you separate pumpkin seeds from the membrane?
How do you soften pumpkin seed shells?
How do you remove seeds from a pumpkin?
Roll a rolling pin over the seeds. Now, you can begin the process of removing the hard exterior shells from the pumpkin. These shells are non-toxic, so it’s safe to leave them on, but many people prefer the softer seeds within. To start, spread the seeds out on a hard surface, like a counter top or cutting board.
Can you eat pumpkin seed shells?
Yes, you can, they are able to be digested by your body and are a good source of fiber. However, keep in mind that individuals with digestive conditions, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (IBD), might want to limit their intake since they could have issues digesting the shells. Make sure to drink water when eating a high amount of fiber, this will aid in digestion.
How do you DeShell pumpkin seed kernels?
As you stir, you will notice that the seed kernels sink to the bottom of the container while the shells remain floating on the surface of the water. Carefully remove the floating shells from the top of the water using a skimmer or slotted spoon. Drain the water from the container, and you will be left with the deshelled pumpkin seed kernels.
How do you Hull pumpkin seeds?
Carefully remove the floating shells from the top of the water using a skimmer or slotted spoon. Drain the water from the container, and you will be left with the deshelled pumpkin seed kernels. This method allows you to efficiently hull a larger quantity of pumpkin seeds by separating the shells from the kernels using water.