5 unique ways to use watermelon seeds in your meals
What's the story
Often discarded, watermelon seeds have surprising culinary potential. Packed with nutrients, these seeds can be transformed into various delightful dishes. From snacks to beverages, watermelon seeds offer a range of uses that many might not expect. Exploring these uses can add a new dimension to your culinary repertoire and help reduce waste in the kitchen. Here are some uses for watermelon seeds.
Crunchy delight
Roasted watermelon seed snack
Roasting watermelon seeds makes for an easy crunchy snack. Clean and dry the seeds, toss them in olive oil and spices of your choice (salt or paprika). Roast them in an oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes until golden brown. Not only is this snack delicious, but it's also rich in protein and healthy fats.
Nutty spread
Watermelon seed butter
Watermelon seed butter: A vegan alternative to your regular nut butter, be it peanut or almond. Blend roasted watermelon seeds until smooth (add a bit of oil for consistency if required). Use this on toast or in smoothies/baking recipes for a nutty flavor without the allergens that some nuts have.
Gluten-free option
Watermelon seed flour
Grinding watermelon seeds into flour provides a gluten-free alternative that baking enthusiasts can explore. This flour can also be used with other flours to prepare bread, pancakes, cookies, etc. It adds nutritional value by mixing protein and essential minerals into baked goods while keeping them airy.
Dairy-free beverage
Watermelon seed milk
Watermelon seed milk is another interesting use of these versatile seeds. Soak the seeds overnight, before blending them with water until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove solids. The creamy milk can be flavored with vanilla or sweetened as desired and makes an excellent dairy-free option for those who are lactose intolerant.
Nutrient boost
Sprouted watermelon seeds
Sprouting watermelon seeds makes them more nutritious by boosting vitamin content and making them easier to digest. To sprout them, soak the seeds overnight and rinse them well. Then, keep them damp in a jar covered loosely with cloth until sprouts appear (usually within two days). These sprouts make for nutritious additions when tossed into salads or blended into smoothies for added health benefits without changing taste too much.