Sunflowers!

When I planted sunflowers this year, I admit that I wasn't even thinking about harvesting their seeds. I just was thinking, "gee, wonder if I can grow some big and pretty sunflowers this year?". That's it. Then they grew, and got beautifully tall and bright, I just got so excited at these huge flowers growing in my back yard.  They were so yellow and bright for a good part of the hot time of the summer...and then, sadly, they slowly started to nod their balding heads toward the ground, as if to say "okay, we're done here...better eat some seeds and make it worth our while, Farmer Al".

(Hmmm...is it weird that I think that my garden plants talk to me?  And that they call me Farmer Al? Please don't answer that.)

So out of pure guilt at the thought of enjoying nothing but their beauty, I investigated a little, and here is how you harvest sunflower seeds.  Yup, the good eatin' kind.

Cut the heads off when you see that behind the head is yellowing, and that the seeds inside are black tipped. 

You may have to brush away the top "fur" (technical term) of the sunflower to reveal the seeds.

Best done with gloves, you then work the seeds out by firmly rubbing them toward the outer circle.  You may have to rip the head in half to get a better grip.  I found this part to be strangely therapeutic. (Remember, I need therapy--I hear my plants talking to me!)

This is what they look like right out of the flower, with the empty head left behind.

After soaking them in saltwater overnight, lay them out on a paper towel in the sun to dry out.

Then roast them in a 300 degree oven for a little over a half-hour...or until a little brown.
Remove from the oven and add a little healthy oil and some sea salt if you'd like, and enjoy!

Sunflower seeds are a high source of protein, some of the B vitamins, vitamin E and many minerals, such as iron, magnesium, calcium and selenium.  As we found out working with our second batch, they may also contain EXTRA protein if you don't watch for teeny tiny holes in the seeds...yup, seed worms.  Blech.  But, I think that if you literally watch what you eat, you will spot the holey seeds and eat only what you intend to when sitting down to snack.  It is a way to add mindfulness to your eating, THAT'S for sure! :)