The Many Reasons Pumpkin Seeds are Good for You!

Pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin: the most fabulous squash in the world. It’s so versatile! Pumpkins can be cut up and prepped for so many sweet, spicy and savory dishes. And, bonus: come mid-October, you and your friends can slash, carve and stab the sturdy squash to your heart’s content!

One part of the pumpkin I’m quite fond of are those seeds. Pumpkin seeds are super easy to remove and cook, and are filled with ridiculous amounts of nutrients.

Pumpkin seeds are an alkaline-forming food and contain protein, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, vitamin K, E, C, D and B, and copper. The little, easily roasted seeds also contain phytosterols, which reduce LDL cholesterol, and L-tryptophan, which can help you sleep sound and ease depression! And if you’re a vegetarian or vegan seeking a healthy way to consume omega 3,6 and 9 fatty acids in food, pumpkins can now be one of your go-to snacks.

Need more proof that these seeds are stellar? Pumpkin seeds can:

    Prevent calcium oxalate kidney stone formation.

    Keep bones healthy: pumpkin seeds contain the formerly mentioned zinc. Zinc helps protect against osteoporosis.  Zinc is also essential for maintaining healthy sperm production and helps men stave off testosterone deficiency.

    Reduce inflammation without the side effects many anti-inflammatory drugs cause.

    Help men maintain prostate health: pumpkin seed oil helps alleviate difficult urination, which occurs when a prostate is enlarged.

Ready to get your munch on? Try out the following pumpkin seed recipe: Sweet-Hot Pumpkin Seeds with Autumn Spices.

Written by Abbie Stutzer  

Garlic [Allium sativum]

Garlic

Garlic has been grown for thousands of years for its culinary and medicinal properties. It is a common ingredient in Mediterranean and Asian cuisines. Hardneck garlic is the hardiest form. Varieties in this group form cloves around a woody stem that sends up a curly flower stalk. Softneck garlic forms cloves around a soft neck or stem, which braids easily.

Plant garlic in the fall around the time of the first frost, and mulch well over winter to produce the largest bulbs. Spring-planted bulbs will be smaller at harvest.

Light:

    Sun

Zones:

    4-9

Plant Type:

    Vegetable

Plant Height:

    8-24 inches tall

Plant Width:

    2-6 inches wide

Top Varieties

'New York White' garlic

Allium sativum 'New York White' is also called 'Polish White'. It's a hardy, disease-resistant variety for northern regions.

'Russian Red' garlic

Allium sativum 'Russian Red' is a hardneck type with purple stripes on its cloves. It is exceptionally winter hardy.

'Silver White' garlic

Allium sativum 'Silver White' is a softneck type for warm climates. It produces easy-to-peel white bulbs.

'Spanish Roja' garlic

Allium sativum 'Spanish Roja' is a hardneck type with medium-hot flavor. The brown-skin cloves are excellent for roasting.

Garden Plans Inspired by Italy Vegetable Garden Plan

Harvest Tips:  

 When about half of the garlic leaves turn yellow, withhold water and knock over the tops. Allow the garlic to cure in the garden for a week. Harvest the bulbs, remove any soil, and hang them in a cool, dry place for two weeks. Once tops are dry, trim them off 1/2 inch above the bulb (or braid softneck types) and trim the roots at the base of the bulb.