We all know that splendid tall, yellow flower that is the Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus), which reminds us of summer. We often associate sunflower oil with it, widely used in Italian and international cuisine, and lately we increasingly find its seeds in the preparation of recipes. A little less common, however, is the use of sunflower sprouts, which are not only healthy and nutritious, but also good to eat, with a tasty and particular taste.Sunflower sprouts can be obtained from seeds even without using a sprouter, in easy DIY cultivation. It will be sufficient to find some sunflower seeds, soak them in cold water in a rather large container or bowl, so that they float and let them rest. After about 8 hours the seeds should start to germinate. You will then have to wait at least two or three days to see the sprouting process complete, proceeding every now and then with a little rinsing of the seeds.
Benefits
Sunflower sprouts, if included in our daily diet, contribute to the well-being of our body and the regularity of our metabolism.
Nutritional Elements
100 grams of sunflower sprouts contain:
- Calories: 37 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 2.10 g of which sugars 0.44 g
- Fat: 2.10 g of which saturated 0.10 g
- Protein: 250 g
- Sodium Salt: 0.07 g
SUNFLOWER SPROUTS: THE USES IN THE KITCHEN
Sunflower sprouts are the tastiest of all. Unexpectedly from what you might think, they are very sweet and have a flavor similar to that of walnuts. The sensation you feel, therefore, when tasting them is completely particular and pleasant.
Precisely because of this particularity, they are often eaten as a snack or as a hunger breaker. Excellent when added to soups or mixed salads. They can also be used as a simple side dish, to be seasoned raw on the plate with oil, salt and lemon.
Some creative chefs also use them as a filling for fresh pasta (tortellini, ravioli) or include them in the preparation of risottos and flans. Nothing prevents them from being used, given their particularly sweet taste, in the making of cakes and biscuits. We increasingly find them in smoothies, summer drinks and vegetable smoothies.
Where to find sunflower sprouts
Sunflower sprouts are a little more difficult to find than the other sprouts most common in Italy today (such as soy sprouts). If you go to large hypermarkets or shops specializing in healthy foods or even organic food outlets, you will certainly be able to find a wide choice in the desired formats. Once taken home and placed in the refrigerator, sunflower sprouts can be kept for up to 10 days. The advice is to rinse them before using to refresh them just enough and reinvigorate them, to enjoy them fresh and crunchy, if eaten raw.
SUGGESTIONS
Sunflower sprouts can be obtained from seeds even without using a sprouter, in an easy diy cultivation:
- It will be enough to find some sunflower seeds
- soak them in cold water inside a rather large container or bowl, so that they float and let them rest
- After about 8 hours the seeds should start to germinate
- You will then have to wait at least two or three days to see the sprouting process complete, proceeding every now and then with a little rinsing of the seeds