Global
Nutty Seed Trail Mix
A crunchy, no-added-sugar trail mix of toasted nuts, seeds and a little dark chocolate. Portioned snacking done right.
~15 mintotal~247 kcalper serving~7g protein~10g carbs~22g fat
Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients using the UK food composition tables, so treat it as a guide rather than a measurement. A typical recipe lands within about a quarter of the true figure. Makes about 6.
Ingredients
- ½ cup almonds
- ½ cup walnuts
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chunks (70%+)
- Pinch of sea salt
Cooking Steps
Toast the nuts and seeds in a dry pan 3–4 minutes until fragrant.
Cool completely.
Toss with the coconut, dark chocolate and salt.
Portion into small jars or bags.
Optional Enhancements
- Add a few raisins or dried cranberries
- Swap in cashews or pecans
- Sprinkle of cinnamon
Plant & Growing Tips
Pumpkin
- Sow pumpkin seeds directly into warm soil after the last frost, ensuring adequate space as vines spread widely.
- Provide full sun and consistent moisture, especially once fruits begin to form.
- Amend soil with compost before planting to support heavy feeding and fruit development.
Sunflower
- Direct sow sunflower seeds in spring after the last frost, planting 1-2 feet apart for optimal growth.
- Ensure full sun exposure for at least 6-8 hours daily, as sunflowers are sun-loving plants.
- Tall varieties may require staking to prevent them from falling over in strong winds or due to heavy heads.
Natural Pest Control
- Monitor pumpkin plants for squash bugs and squash vine borers, hand-picking pests and destroying eggs.
- Deter birds from sunflower heads by covering them with netting or paper bags as seeds begin to mature.
- Control aphids on both plants by spraying with a diluted insecticidal soap or a strong stream of water.
Harvest
Pumpkin
- Harvest pumpkins when the rind is hard, the color is deep and uniform, and the stem has started to dry and harden.
- Cut the pumpkin from the vine with a few inches of stem attached to improve storage life.
Sunflower
- Harvest sunflower heads when the back of the head turns yellow and the seeds look plump and developed.
- Allow the heads to dry completely in a protected, well-ventilated area before removing the seeds.
Storing & Freezing
Airtight jar up to 3 weeks.
