Content
- Dry Hokkaido Cores - step by step guide
- How to Dry Hokkaido Cores
- Tips
- Store dried Hokkaido kernels properly
Hokkaido kernels are too good to throw away
Dry Hokkaido Cores - step by step guide
The orange Hokkaido squash has much more to offer than just its delicious pulp. Inside, it also houses some seeds that you do not need to throw away or are allowed to eat, because they contain precious substances and give roasted food a certain something to many dishes. So they are suitable as a topping for salads and soups and baked goods. In short: pick up the Hokkaido kernels and dry them. We'll tell you how to do it!
How to Dry Hokkaido Cores
- The first step is to get the seeds out of the Hokkaido pumpkin. For this purpose, it is best to halve the Hokkaido with a big, sharp knife. Then remove the kernels from the two halves with a spoon or (more comfortable) ice cream scoop and place them on a prepared kitchen paper or in a bowl. In the second step, you should free the kernels from any remaining pulp. It is advisable to rub at the beginning with your fingers. Then put the seeds in a sieve and keep it under running water. In this way, remaining meat threads can be reliably eliminated. During the procedure described above, you can already preheat the oven to about 180 to 200 degrees Celsius. Lay out a baking sheet with baking paper and spread the seeds on it. You must make sure that the Hokkaido cores do not overlap. That means they should be a little bit apart from each other so they can dry evenly in the oven. Push the sheet metal with the cores into the oven. The baking time is approximately 20 minutes. We recommend turning the cores in ten minutes using a spatula (again for even drying).Remove the tin from the oven and let the Hokkaido pits cool down. Last but not least, you crack the cores one after the other, just like sunflower seeds.
Tips
Instead of the oven you can also use a Dehydrator, if you have one. With this device, the (gentle, efficient) drying of Hokkaido cores works even better.
Store dried Hokkaido kernels properly
Put the dried Hokkaido kernels in airtight closable cans. A cool storage in a pantry or in the cellar is to be preferred.