Sunflower Sprouts

We are always looking for new products to take to the Farmers Market, especially in the winter.  So, I am trying something new that I will have at the market on Saturday, Feb 6 . . . . . Sunflower Sprouts!  Tom found a book at the library on growing sprouts.  There are lots of different kinds of seeds you can sprout.  I decided to try sprouting sunflower seed since we already have a whole bag of them that we are feeding  the birds.

The process is fairly easy.  You take 2 cups of sunflower seed and soak them in water over night in a quart jar.  The next morning you drain the water off and set them on the kitchen counter.  You then rinse them twice a day for 3-4 days until they start to pop open.  At this point you spread them out onto a tray to which moist potting soil has been added.  Turn another tray upside down on them and protect them from light for another 3-4 days.  By this time they should be putting roots down into the soil and you can uncover them and set them under a light.  After another couple of days they are ready to cut and use in salads.  Here is a picture of our sprouts: