Flax Seeds
Makes about 3 tablespoons
Flax seeds are perhaps the most well-known plant source of the anti-inflammatory, health-promoting, and essential, omega-3 fatty acids. When prepared as called for in this recipe they are sweet, nutty, and easily chewable. I like to serve them over salads.
3 tablespoons flax seeds
1 cup clean (well, spring, or filtered) water
¼ teaspoon unrefined sea salt
Soak: 7-24 hours
Dehydrate: 12-24 hours
See further directions below
Pumpkin Seeds
Makes about 2 cups
Pumpkin seeds are excellent sources of B-vitamins, zinc, and fatty acids[1]. They are especially nourishing to the male reproductive system[2]. Always roast pumpkin seeds to remove any harmful bacteria on the surface of the seeds[3].
2 cups raw pumpkin seeds (hulls removed)
3 ½ cups clean (well, spring, or filtered) water
1 tablespoon unrefined sea salt (optional)
Soak: 7-24 hours
Roast: 4-6 hours
See further directions below
Sesame Seeds
Makes about 3 tablespoons
Distinctly flavored and indispensable in world cuisine, sesame seeds are also rich in the anti-nutrient oxalic acid. This naturally occurring acid binds with calcium and other minerals (and prevents their absorption into the gut). Oxalic acid can contribute to the build-up of calcium-oxalate kidney stones[4]. Avoid them if you are prone to this problem. Otherwise, they should always be soaked, roasted, and preferably ground before eating.
3 tablespoons raw sesame seeds
1 cup clean (well, spring, or filtered) water
Soak: 7-24 hours
Roast: 2-4 hours (250 degrees F)
See further directions below
Sunflower Seeds
Makes about 2 cups
Among the most inexpensive of nuts and seeds, sunflower seeds are truly a nutritional bargain. They’re rich in protein, trace minerals, and the essential fatty acids linoleic and linolenic acid. I like to include them in trail mix with another more expensive nut like almonds.
2 cups raw sunflower seeds (hulls removed)
3 ½ cups clean (well, spring, or filtered) water
1 tablespoon unrefined sea salt (optional)
Soak: 7-24 hours
Dehydrate: 12-24 hours
or
Roast: 4-6 hours
See further directions below
Almonds
Makes about 2 cups
Almonds are unique among nuts. Perhaps it’s because they aren’t truly nuts, but the edible pit of a soft fruit (called a drupe) [5]. They’re like the stone of a peach or the pit of an olive, but contain an edible seed. Almonds are the only ‘nut’ to alkalize – rather than acidify – the blood[6]. Their outer skins contain bitter medicinal compounds that can aid lung conditions. However, they should be removed for everyday eating, as they can irritate the lining of the gut.[7]
After almonds are soaked in water overnight their skins are easy to remove. Use clean hands to rub the skins from the nuts. The results are worth the extra effort! The nuts are easy to digest, and have a sweet, full-bodied almond flavor.
2 cups raw almonds
3 ½ cups clean (well, spring, or filtered) water
1 tablespoon unrefined sea salt (optional)
Soak: 12-24 hours
Peel
Dehydrate: 36-48 hours
Roast: 12-24 hours
See further directions below
Cashews
Makes about 2 cups
Raw cashews have been heated to 350 degrees F during processing to neutralize cardol, a toxic oil found between their inner and outer shells[8]. While this is necessary to make the nuts safe to eat, it also renders cashews un-sproutable. Nevertheless, purchase whole cashews, rather than pieces. They retain their freshness and the whole pieces are much easier to uniformly dehydrate or roast. Sea salt must be added to the soaking water. Cashews won’t sprout, so this only means of enhancing their digestibility.
2 cups whole, raw cashews
3 ½ cups clean (well, spring, or filtered) water
1 tablespoon unrefined sea salt
Soak: 5-6 hours, no longer
Dehydrate: 36-48 hours or
Roast: 12-24 hours
See further directions below
Hazelnuts
Makes about 2 cups
Growing up, my family referred to the hazelnuts from our backyard tree as filberts. Both names are correct. The filbert is the type of hazelnut grown locally in the Pacific Northwest. They are over 40 % monounsaturated oleic acid[9], a stable fat that protects the nuts from rancidity. After roasting, the outer peelings can be removed by gently tossing the nuts in a towel.
2 cups raw hazelnuts (shells removed)
3 ½ cups clean (well, spring, or filtered) water
1 tablespoon unrefined sea salt (optional)
Soak: 12-24 hours
Dehydrate: 36-48 hours
or
Roast: 12-24 hours
See further directions below
Pecans
Makes about 2 cups
Like hazelnuts, pecans are high in shelf-stable monounsaturated oleic acid. They are amazingly high in fat (over 70%) and are a good source of manganese[10].
2 cups whole, raw pecans (shells removed)
3 ½ cups clean (well, spring, or filtered) water
1 tablespoon unrefined sea salt (optional)
Soak: 12-24 hours
Dehydrate: 24-36 hours
or
Roast: 6-12 hours
See further directions below
Walnuts
Makes about 2 cups
According to the Doctrine of Signatures (which states that the healing traits of an herb are marked by its appearance) walnuts – with their wrinkled, brain-like double-hemispheres – can improve mental function[11]. In fact, walnuts are high in the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)[12], which nourishes brain development and function[13]. This type of fatty acid is susceptible to rancidity, so walnuts should be stored in the refrigerator. Roast walnuts to kill any parasites in the nuts.
2 cups whole, raw walnuts (shells removed)
3 ½ cups clean (well, spring, or filtered) water
1 tablespoon unrefined sea salt (optional)
Roast: 4-6 hours
See further directions below
Further Directions for Crispy Seeds and Nuts:
In a wide-mouth, mason jar or medium-sized non-reactive bowl combine the seeds or nuts, water, and unrefined salt (if desired or called for). Stir to dissolve the salt, about 1 minute. Cover loosely. Store at room temperature for the amount of time indicated above.
Use a fine mesh strainer to strain the soaking water from the seeds. Line a dehydrator tray or rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper. Spread the seeds evenly over the tray or pan. To keep raw, dehydrate at 130-145 degrees F. To roast, bake at 250 degrees F. stir the seeds or nuts 2-3 times while dehydrating or roasting. Dehydrate or roast until the seeds or nuts crunch between the teeth (the approximate time is indicated in the recipes above).
Store them tightly covered at room temperature for up to one month (flax seeds, sunflower seeds, and walnuts should be stored in the refrigerator).
This was shared on Real Food Wednesday.
[1] James F. Balch and Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Nutritional Healing (Garden City Park: Avery, 1997), 75.
[2] Balch and Balch, 452.
[3] Paul Pitchford, Healing with Whole Foods (Berkley: North Atlantic, 2002), 534.
[4] Balch and Balch, 361.
[5] “Drupe,” accessed May 29, 2011, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drupe.
[6] Pitchford, 532.
[7] Pitchford, 532.
[8] Sally Fallon, Nourishing Traditions (Washington: New Trends, 2001), 515.
[9] “Nuts, hazelnuts or filberts,” accessed 29 May, 2011, http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3116/2.
[10] Fallon, 514.
[11] Penelope Ody, The Complete Medicinal Herbal (New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1993), 19.
[12] Fallon, 513.
[13] Balch and Balch, 51.
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