Saturday, June 18, 2005

First harvest

Today I decided I was sick of waiting... I chopped my first sunflower head off and brought it in to harvest the seed. I am going to try to make them how I've read in quite a few places.... Cover unshelled seeds with salted water. Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup of salt per two quarts of water. Bring to a boil and simmer for two hours. Drain and dry on absorbent paper. Roast sunflower seeds in a shallow pan at 300 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. After removing from the oven, stir in one teaspoon of melted butter or margarine for every cup of seeds. Cool on an absorbent towel and salt to taste. Here's the flower head I brought in: 6-18-05 008 I tried to get a good size comparison kicking... here's a pic with a penny placed on it: 6-18-05 012 The next dillema was... how do I remove the seeds....? I rounded up some child labor and forced them into picking them out.... 6-18-05 014 Unfortunately, this was about as far as their interest held out... I will be pulling the rest out. We'll let you know how they turn out! 6-18-05 016

13 comments:

-E said...

Michele sent me around and what a project I find you embarking upon. Please update and let us know how they turn out. I didn't know people did this.

Learn something new every day....

Minerva said...

I read the recipe and started salivating...
Isn't child labour useful?
*grinning*

Mine are filing for me...

Minerva

carmilevy said...

Hi Guppyman. I'm back via the Michele round-and-round today. I am so fascinated by your sunflower experience, and so happy you're sharing it here. The pictures alone could be art.

Angie said...

How fun! Be sure to let us all know the outcome! :)

Michele didn't send me. :)

True Jersey Girl said...

You'll have to tell us how long it takes you to harvest all those seeds. I bet it will be worth it, though! And loved your pics from yesterday, too.

Anonymous said...

Howdy Guppyman! I harvested mine last year by hanging it upside down(This was a little hard to do..lol) and they all fell out on their own.. (Thats how i read to do it..)I hope yours turns out better than mine did! Good luck.. Your sunflowers ended up way bigger than mine were.. WOW!

Tracy S said...

m i love pumpkin seeds ...mmmm wish I could find one somewhere ..lol

Mellie Helen said...

Okay, I have *never* done this, but I will venture a guess as to how to remove the seeds: using a wide-toothed comb, drag the surface gently so that the seeds are loosened, and shake. Let me know if you try that, and if it was succesful. What a huge flower!

Here via Michele!

Lu said...

wow this is such a neat thing to do!

I only planted tomatoes in my garden...no sunflowers :(

Anonymous said...

I'm frightened of your big sunflower head. Hehe... I said, never mind.

We used to grow them in our backyard when I was a kid. I think I remember my mom just using a nice and shearing them off? Or was that corn on the cob?

Anyway, have fun with the seeds and yay for cheap child labor! ;-)

Tracy S said...

Hey I was surfing at blog explosion and seen your banner ..I just had to click on it ..I am glad I did ..You have a very nice place here and a very Hot wife :)

guppyman said...

Woot™ Yeah I do have a hot wife.... not sure about the nice place though....

Melissa said...

I can't wait to hear how they turn out. That flower is HUGE