SUNFLOWER SEED PATE

Makes about 2 cups

Sunflower seeds are a good source of protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc, folate, vitamins A, D and E.  This is a great spread for eating with raw vegetables.

1 1/2 cups sunflower seeds, soaked overnight*

3 cloves garlic, peeled

4 scallions, chopped

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup tahini

2 Tablespoons tamari

1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

pinch cayenne pepper (optional)

In a food processor, process the soaked sunflower seeds with the garlic until garlic is minced. Add scallions, lemon juice, tahini, tamari, parsley, and cayenne until the mixture is a smooth paste.

* Soaking the seeds overnight makes them more digestible and easier to blend into a creamy paste. Discard soaking water and rinse seeds well with fresh water, removing hulls that have come off.