We have a ton of sunflowers on our farm. We usually just let the birds eat them all, but I want to start using some for our consumption. What should I do to them to make them like store bought? Thanks Gary

-- Gary & Jodi Gatts (jnggatts@bentcom.net), August 31, 2001

Answers

I don't know what you would do to eat them. Is there a 'receipe" in an organic cooking book or call cooperative extension or a natural food store they might be able to help you. We have bird feeders around our house and we never plant a sunflower seed and each year our house is surrounded wonderfully with these sunflowers from the birds dropping them from the feeder. It looks as if we had a wonderful plan in mind for this garden. It's so beautiful. I usually just let the dead sunflowers stay the winter to help the birds get through our cold winters. Good Luck with your search !!

-- Helena Di Maio (windyacs@ptdprolog.net), September 01, 2001.

what kind do you buy?? raw?? just pick and eat,, raosted/sal;ted,, treat them like pumpkin seeds

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), September 01, 2001.

try lightly roasting them in a 350 degree oven on a teflon cookie sheet, and then toss them with salt. hope this helps, that's the way we like them. Good eating! LOL

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), September 01, 2001.

Hello Gary and Jodi, We find that the raw ones taste great. No need to roast them. Just eat them and save a few for planting next spring! Sincerely, Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), September 01, 2001.

I was really surprised when someone told me not to plant sunflowers that my stock could get to, so I checked it out:

http://sis.agr.gc.ca/pls/pp/ppack.info?p_psn=225&p_type=all&p_sci=comm&p_x=px

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), September 02, 2001.

First soak them in salty water and roast in a slow oven. Remove hulls and eat.

-- Linda at peaceful (peacefulvalley3@yahoo.com), September 02, 2001.

Linda is right. Soak in salty water and into the oven. I think maybe it is best to "dry it" rather than roast, though, sort of at super low heat...150.

-- marcee king (thathope@mwt.net), September 02, 2001.