Ripe seeds have a full, green pod. If the pod is starting to shrivel or turn brown, the seeds will probably be bitter. Seed pods fall off the tree when they’re ripe. To get the freshest seeds, pick up newly-fallen pods that are still all green.
The taste of the seeds can also vary from tree to tree. Try harvesting seeds from several to find the best taste. If you can only find bitter seeds, don’t worry. You can improve the taste by roasting or boiling the seeds.
If you’re using water out on a hiking trail, make sure it’s clean. If you aren’t sure, boil the water over a fire for 1 minute to kill any germs.
The outer skin is not dangerous, so don’t worry if you leave some behind. It just may not taste great.
Maple seeds are small so don’t cover them in seasoning. Scoop some into a spoon or your fingers and just sprinkle the seasonings to add extra flavor. To sample different flavor pairings, put seeds on several baking sheets and season each one differently. See which one you like the best.
Avoid burns and let the seeds cool before you eat them.
The pot doesn’t need to be completely full. Use enough water to cover all the seeds.
If you’re doing this on a campfire, control the amount of heat on the pot by raising or lowering it. Turn the flame up if the water stops bubbling.
When the seeds are cool enough, squeeze a few to make sure they’re soft. If they’re still hard, they weren’t boiled enough.
Remember to just lightly season the seeds. Take a pinch in your fingers or in a spoon and sprinkle it over the seeds. Taste them and see if you need more flavor.
Load the seeds into a plastic bag for convenient carry. Then you can snack on them in the car or on a walk.
There are vinaigrette dressings that use maple flavoring. This dressing would pair nicely with fresh maple seeds in your salad. Be careful not to choke when eating a salad with maple seeds. They’re very small and can get stuck in your throat if you swallow them whole. Chew all your bites carefully.
Ground seeds can be used as a tasty soup thickener. Sprinkle ground seeds into mashed potatoes for extra flavoring. Replace wheat flour with the maple seed flour in your recipes for a gluten-free option. Be careful when using a food processor. Keep your fingers away from the blades.
