sunflower seeds

[ivorylodge]

so i'm on week 2 of the book. and one of the recipes says to soak some sunflower seeds for 8 hours and then sprout for 2 hours.

i got some raw sunflower seeds in bulk foods yesterday. but i'm kinda unsure about these instructions.

does that mean i soak them in water for 8 hours, drain them and put a paper towel on them for 2 hours?

[Marlie28]

hi! i'm also confused about sunflower seeds. just to add on to your question, when you don't soak and sprout, are people taking the hulls off by hand before using them or just using as is with the hull?

[ivorylodge]

hmm...i wonder is that is what the soaking is for.

[VeggieMel]

Seeds and nuts have enzyme inhibitors which come out when they are soaked. Enzyme inhibitors are not good for digestion, so it's best to soak seeds and nuts (rinsing when you are finished soaking).

Once something is sprouted, it's in a pre-digested form which is most nutritious and easiest to digest. As for hulls, I guess sunflower seeds havereally thin hulls, but they don't bother me. I just leave them.

[VeggieMel]

Oh to answer your question, yes, you would soak them for 8 hours, then rinse them. People have various ways of sprouting, I think a paper towel would work. I put mine in mason jars with screens at the top, then set the jars upside down at 45 degree angles.