There are tons of fruits, vegetables, and meat products that have seeds and shells that can sometimes be difficult to remove. I wanted to share some methods that might make de-seeding and removing shells a lot safer and easier for you!
Give these a try, and let me know how well they work for you!
1. Pomegranate Seeds
Pomegranate is a juicy and sweet fruit that is filled with little pockets of edible seeds. The first couple of times you encounter this fruit, you might get a bit tired of taking out all the seeds one by one before you actually get to enjoy them. While this fruit is delicious, it does take a bit of work!
Without these tips, peeling and eating pomegranates are a little too time-consuming. Here are a few ways you can avoid spending too much time pitting the seeds!
Swatting the pomegranate
One simple way of removing the seeds is to cut the fruit in half and then, over a bowl, swat the seeds out with a spatula. Gently tap the skin of the pomegranate all around to loosen the seeds and allow them to fall out naturally.
Cut the pomegranate into Sections
Cut the top of the pomegranates to get an aerial view of the main components of the fruit. You should be able to see the contrast between the white skin of the fruit and the bright red seeds. This will be able to give you a great understanding of how many sections are in your pomegranate.
Taking a knife, score the sections of the pomegranate from top to bottom and let it open like a blooming flower. This will allow you to remove the seeds from the shell easily.
Remove pomegranate seeds in a bowl of water
This is a quick and easy way to remove your pomegranate seeds and wash them at the same time!
Fill your large bowl up with water, and cut 4 sections down your pomegranate. Place one of the quarters under the water and gently pull the skin apart and remove the seeds from the pomegranate.
2. Pumpkin and Squash Seeds
When cooking with pumpkins and squashes, many people either remove the seeds to throw away or roast them for a fun snack! Because of the pulp and fiber, it is usually difficult to remove the seeds because it is a slippery and gooey mess. But here are some tips to help you remove the seeds.
Use an Ice Cream Scoop
I have mentioned this tip previously, and it works wonders! Most people would use a regular spoon to scoop the seeds, pulp and fiber out, but the cool thing about the ice cream scoop is that it is sharp. Because of the sharp edge, it is easier to cut through the slippery pulp to take out the seeds.
And if you are planning to roast your seeds, once you’ve taken them out of your pumpkin or squash, place them in a large bowl of water. This way, you can help detangle the seeds from the pulp. The healthy seeds will sink to the bottom, while the dead seeds’ pulp will rise to the top.
3. Remove the avocado seed
Avocado is a fruit that is buttery, creamy, and slightly nutty. It is an ingredient that many love to use for avocado toast, salads, to make fresh guacamole and much more! This is a fruit that has one big seed that is sometimes difficult to remove.
I wanted to share a few safe and easy ways you can remove the pit from your avocado!
Quarter the avocado
Cut the avocado into vertical quarters to break the fruit from the pit. Remove each quarter, and then at the last one, the seed would come out extremely easily!
The One-Hand Method
This is one method I didn’t realize was so easy and hardly hazardous! The first step is to slice the avocado lengthwise. Then on the side with the seed, what you are going to want to do is put your index and middle finger on either side of the pit and push the back with your thumb. And the seeds just pop off!
4. Corn kernels
To de-kernel corn on the cob, you will only need 3 things. A bundt pan, a knife, and corn on the cob!
What you are going to want to do is, on the pointy end of the corn, face it down and place it in the opening of the pan. This will act like a stand, and the inside of the pan will be a bowl to catch the kernels. Then using the knife, cut from the top of the cob to the bottom. And repeat until all the kernels have been removed!
5. Separate the Juice and Seeds of an Orange, Lemon, and Lime
Whether you need the juice of citrus fruits like oranges, lemons or limes for a recipe or to drink, there are simple ways to remove the seeds while getting the juice.
cheesecloth
Cheesecloths are cotton cloth that is loosely woven and only allows liquids to pass through easily. Traditionally cheesecloths are used when you are making cheese, but this is a great way to get the citrus juice without the seeds!
Strainer
Another good way of removing the seeds without doing it individually is to juice your orange, lemon or lime over a strainer. This way, you can easily get the juice you need without the seeds in a shorter time.
6. De-shelling eggs
De-shelling boiled eggs is sometimes a tedious job, especially when you are making recipes like deviled eggs or even egg salad. Here are some tips and tricks for cracking shells easily!
Add Baking Soda or Vinegar to the Water When Boiling
When boiling the eggs, adding baking soda or vinegar to the pot helps prevent the eggshells from sticking to the cooked egg whites. Both substances help penetrate the eggshell to separate the egg whites from the shell.
This method is great if you what a perfectly peeled hard-boiled egg for deviled eggs!
Closed container method
This is a method that might not leave you with the prettiest hard boil egg, but it would be fast and efficient for recipes like egg salad!
After your eggs are boiled, place all of them in a container with a lid. Once the lid is closed, start shaking the container. The eggshell will begin to break and shake right off!
I hope these tips and tricks work for you, and make your time in the kitchen a lot easier!
(Visited 10 times, 10 visits today)