“Rwandan courgette,” more commonly known as zucchini or squash, is a type of vegetable that falls under the cucurbit family. It looks like a cucumber and comes in various forms, with yellow and green zucchini being the most well-known worldwide. You can cook them in several ways, either by frying, stuffing, or cooking with tomatoes.
We source “Rwandan courgette” from the Northern Province of Rwanda. In our culture, we have many traditional meals that pair well with zucchini sauce, including “ubugali” (an East African delicacy made from cassava flour), rice, and dishes prepared with beans.
But today, we won’t be discussing the search for the best restaurants offering delicious zucchini dishes or learning to prepare them at home. Let’s get into something interesting: zucchini seeds. Instead of discarding them, did you know that you can actually use or consume them? Large zucchini seeds are commonly used for eating.
The vegetable contains a large amount of water, about 95%, so it helps eliminate thirst and dehydration problems. It contains many important elements for the body, such as: calcium, copper, phosphorus, and zinc, and it also contains a group of vitamins. Including: Vitamin B, Vitamin A, and Vitamin F.
Additionally, zucchini contains large amounts of fats, sugars, and proteins, while being low in calories. The main benefits of consuming zucchini are fourfold: it helps reduce high blood pressure, increases urine production rates, activates liver function, and lowers the risk of jaundice.
It also contributes to softening the stomach and intestines, particularly in cases of constipation, and alleviates symptoms associated with nervous system diseases and psychological disorders such as stress. It aids in weight loss, strengthens and improves memory, promotes the renewal and building of brain cells, and reduces the risk of colon cancer and diabetes.
In Rwanda, traditional healers known as “abavuzi bagakondo” often recommend using zucchini seeds to address various health issues in older individuals, including dry cough, urinary tract pain, and various infections.
Consuming raw zucchini seeds is generally safe and provides additional fiber, which is beneficial. However, if you have an allergy to raw zucchini, it may be advisable to cook the seeds to prevent potential allergic reactions. For those comfortable with eating raw zucchini, here are some straightforward steps to prepare them for your meals.
-To prepare raw zucchini seeds, start by cutting the tough skin of the zucchini using a kitchen knife.
-Extract the seeds and surrounding flesh, placing them in a container.
-To clean the seeds, soak them in water for 1-2 days until a slightly sour smell develops.
-Afterward, clean the seeds by mixing them with water, using a sieve to separate the heavier sinkers from the floaters, and rinse until they are thoroughly clean.
-Spread the seeds on a screen to dry, stirring occasionally over a few days to prevent dampness. -Once fully dry, store the seeds in a cool, dark place in a labeled paper envelope until you’re ready to use them.