How to Dry Bell Pepper Seeds

Bell peppers make a great addition to any meal. Their versatility, raw or cooked, makes them a tasty compliment to a meal. You can chop them for a salad or a sandwich, use them in sauces or core and fill them to make stuffed peppers. However, they can be expensive if you like to eat them often. Growing them yourself can make them much more affordable.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fresh bell peppers
• Paper towels
• Plates
• Ziploc bag
• Strainer
• Knife
• Cutting board

Preserving Bell Pepper Seeds

1. Place the pepper on a cutting board and cut it down the middle vertically. Place the strainer in the sink and hold the cut pepper under running water, pulling out the seeds and catching them in the strainer. Wash the inside of the pepper thoroughly and leave the seeds in the strainer for a few minutes to let them drain.

2. Spread the seeds on a paper towel on a plate. Let the seeds sit for a few minutes on the paper towel to get rid of remaining water. If you have a lot of seeds, they may take a little longer to drain.

3. Pat the seeds dry with another paper towel and spread them on a dry plate. Leave the seeds out to dry for several days. Set them somewhere dry and cool so they will not get moldy. Also, keep them away from areas where ants or other pests or rodents can get to them.

4. Check the seeds every couple days to see if they are dried. You can simply pick them up and feel them and inspect them visually. If they have mold or mildew on them, throw them away and dry another batch of seeds.

5. When the seeds are thoroughly dried, remove them from the plate and place them in a Ziploc bag and store in a cool, dry, dark place until you are ready to plant them. They can also be stored in your refrigerator. Save them to be planted at an optimal time of year for your area. For instance, if you live in a climate where it snows during the winter, wait until spring or summer to plant your pepper seeds.

References

• Saving Pepper Seeds