I want your input ! What do you do with sunflower seeds and how would you prepare them for people consumtion.

-- Becky (Joel681@webtv.net), September 26, 2000

Answers

Break up the hulls a little, put them in a crock, big jar or something similar, pour water over, the hulls with rise to the top. Sunnies can be used in almost any recipe that calls for nuts. I use them in heavenly hash and carob fudge. Maybe someone else can tell you how to roast them. I have recipe using sunnies in veggie burgers and sunny burgers etc. One of my healier books says they're good for people that are trying to quit smoking. Enjoy!

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), September 26, 2000.

Sunflower seeds are a good source of vitamin E for those of us who can't eat wheat. I like them just plain to nibble on, add them to salads, grind and use in "pancakes", and even put some in the blender when I make smoothies.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), September 26, 2000.

I like 'em in salads, and I eat a lot of salads and such, as a way of controling psoriaisis. Sunflower seeds are fattening, I'm sure--but they sure do taste good!

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), September 26, 2000.

Cindy, could you post your recipes? I'd love to try the carob fudge, as I can't eat chocolate. I get terrible headaches! Thanks, Cathy in NY

-- Cathy Horn (hrnofplnty@webtv.net), September 26, 2000.

i can't have chocolate, either--but I used Carob powder just like you would use cocoa powder. Get an old fashioned cookbook that uses baker's cocoa, and use that....

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), September 27, 2000.

Leann and others, to reduce the calorie count, sprout sunflower seeds just as you would any other. I don't let mine go past about 24 hrs. or the root can extend too far. If it gets past 1/4" long, it causes bitterness and a burning sensation in the back of my throat. I use them in any recipe calling for nuts, in salads, cooked cereals and snacking. One of my favorite fruit salads is simply raisins, chopped dried apples and sunseed sprouts with a little moisture left on them to soften the apples and raisins. It's sweet enough to be a dessert.

I wimp out and buy sunflower kernels from my food buying coop so I can't help you with the preparation question.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), September 27, 2000.

Carob Fudge: Melt in double boiler 4c. barley malt sweetened carob chips...then add 1 c natural peanut butter...blend very well...add whatever amount sunnies or nuts or raisins, I use about two small handfuls...pour into a sprayed casserole dish or bowl...let it set up in the fridge for a little while. Enjoy

Peanut butter carob cups:~). If you like carob and don't like this, something's wrong somewhere. Carob 4c...natural peanut butter 2c...melt and mix as above...now, you can freeze it just like this, or:~) add about an oz. of peppermint oil, I like it really pepperminty. Pour out on plastic wrap or maybe a sprayed cookie sheet. Freeze. Break apart and store in air tight container in the freezer. Enjoy!

This is my version of heavenly hash: I can crushed pineapple, drained-reserve juice...1 can mandarin oranges, drained...In separate bowl beat with electric mixer real whipping cream til stiff...beat in small package of cream cheese...add a pinch of salt and about 3t. vanilla...mix in fruit and a little but not too much pineapple juice...Add a handful or so of sunnies...(Drink the rest of the juice) Enjoy!

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), September 27, 2000.

Oops! I forgot the honey, about 1 1/2T. will do, add that when you ad the vanilla and salt.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), September 27, 2000.

Cindy, Thank you soo much! I can't wait to try these recipes! Cathy in NY

-- Cathy Horn (hrnofplnty@webtv.net), September 27, 2000.

Got another oops! That's carob chips in the peanut butter cups.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), September 28, 2000.

getting some good reciepes please post peanut butter cups I could live off chocklet & peanut butter. Does any one roast their own? I am going to try like I do with pumpkin seeds. thanks becky

-- becky (Joel681@webtv.net), September 28, 2000.