Sunflower Seeds

[PvtHull48thovi]

Gents, I have tried to find references to as if soldiers would have eaten Sunflower Seeds as a snack throughout the war. I know that Native Americans used them in drinks, foods, etc. But are there any references to soldiers using them during the war while on the march or anything like that? I mean, those little buggers can squash hunger mighty quick and they are very nutritional. Any help from you guys would be much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Shelby Hull

[Hank Trent]

Re: Sunflower Seeds

Sunflower seeds as human food were more typical of Russia in the period. Usage spread to the US eventually, obviously, because they're a common snack today, but you may have trouble finding examples because it wasn't in the common mindset of US soldiers to eat them. They were used here for poultry feed or oil, but travelers commented on the unusual Russian habit of eating them regularly. For example, from Travels in the Steppes, 1847:
"A curious custom I have noticed in Southern Russia, and which is common to all classes, is that of chewing the seeds of the melon or the sunflower, from morning till night. In order to indulge this taste, every one dries in the sun the seeds of all the melons he eats during the summer, and puts by his stock for the winter. I have seen many wives of pometchiks (land-owners) pass their whole day in indulging this queer appetite."

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[PvtHull48thovi]

Re: Sunflower Seeds

Thank you Mr. Trent.