7.27.2011

Pesty papaya seeds?

I've recently fallen in love with papaya. I used to think it was soapy. Because I've been mixing it into smoothies (love the creamy feel it gives) I have learned to love this fruit by itself. This morning I ate it cubed in my fruit salad with pumpkin seeds and goat cheese- yum!

But what about all of those dark fish-eye looking seeds inside? Most people discard of them. Don't! They have a lot of health benefits! Personally I don't like the taste of them, they make me think of spicy dirt. Therefore I don't eat them by themselves or with my fruit but I do let a lot of them mix into my papaya smoothies. Why?
The seeds have antibacterial properties which flight bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, and staph infections.
They offer kidney protection which have been shown to help people in kidney failure.
They help your intestines and digestion. While I hope most of you don't walk around with intestinal parasites, if you do have them the seeds get rid of them! They help ward off the buggers too.
The seeds detoxify the liver.

THe most common way to eat them is in salad dressing. I'm trying this one tonight:

1 c. vinegar
1 c. oil
3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 c. papaya seeds (scooped out of a fresh papaya)
1 tsp. salt

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until papaya seeds are crushed and resemble coarsely ground pepper. Serve this dressing on a green salad or fruit salad.

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