Pomegranates. Aren’t they exotic? So full of flavor? So full of antioxidants?
They grow on bushes, sort of tiny trees, and are in season here in the US from November through February.
Did you know before they bear fruit, they bloom with a large red flower? In some regions, viewed as an ornamental bush. That although they are grown now in Arizona and dry areas of southern California, they hail from ancient Persia (modern day Iraq/Iran). See? They are exotic.
I like pomegranates as garnish, with cheese on a cheese plate, sprinkled on desserts or in them, on Greek yogurt in the morning, in salads and in drinks.
Like this pear, spinach and pomegranate salad. Or doesn’t this pomegranate and broccoli salad below look fantastic? You can check out the recipe at this link.
So if you aren’t buying up pomegranates this time of year, why? Does the idea of getting all those seeds out hold you back? Let me show you how easy it is to seed one.
Pomegranates have slight ridges. Can you see them in this picture?
Cut down one all the way through, then once more down another.
Put the four sections in a bowl of cold water. The white spongy membrane inside easily releases the seeds.
The seeds will sink to the bottom and the fleshy membrane stuff floats to the top. All in a matter of minutes.
Drain the water through a strainer and set your piles and piles of pomegranate seeds on paper towels.
Then load them into a bowl and enjoy like candy. Healthy candy. Beautiful, juicy, so good for you candy.
With the abundance of seeds you get from one, merely one fruit, you can eat them all by themselves, not sparingly as a garnish.
How about you? Do you have a favorite way to enjoy pomegranates?
How did I make it to 41 and not know how to seed a pomegranate?!?! Thank you for this primer. I keep seeing yummy-sounding recipes that involve this glorious fruit, and the hard outer shell was enough to keep me away.
And, as always, thanks for the gloriously beautiful pictures.
Tammy recently posted..My Resolve
ha-ha Tammy….I wondered the same thing, only I made it to 50 before I had a very nice produce man a couple winters ago explain it to me and now something that seemed so mysterious and best left alone is very, very simple.
I was first introduced to the pomegranate by my friend in the fourth grade. It seemed very exotic, but also a lot of work. At costco they now have seeded Pomegranate to buy. It eliminates the work, but perhaps the adventure. Personally, I enjoy in juice form due to my intrinsic laziness.
We remember the first time we’re introduced to foods that are different than we had at home, aren’t we? I still remember staying with a friend at her grandmother’s (a very proper Grandmother who lived in the Avenues and took us to lunch on the top floor of the Hotel Utah) – who had these exotic things called toasted English muffins with cream cheese. I felt like I’d been transported to a very posh place – so different than white Wonder Bread with margarine and peanut butter.
You can be intrinsically lazy and still do these pomegranates – I’m not kidding. So easy.
English muffins and cream cheese. It reminds me of my seventh grad outing to “The Heather” in the cotton bottom where they served date nut bread with cream cheese. OMG! Ecstasy.
My mother used to buy pomegranates all of the time when I was growing up and I loved them. So, when I had my own kitchen, I bought one. It was so hard to seed, that I never bought one again. I absolutely love you for the lesson. I am going to buy a pomegranate next time I go shopping! Thanks, Barb
Robin recently posted..Remembering Robert Frost
So glad to get you going again with them, Robin. Enjoy!
Would you believe I’ve never had a pomegranate?? I’ve seen them in stores, heard about them on TV, and know they’re supposed to be tasty and good for you, but I’ve never had one. My mom didn’t serve them when I was growing up (the time when you’re supposed to taste “icky” new things!), and I guess I never believed I was missing out on something. You’ve piqued my interest!
Debbie recently posted..Five Things I Learned From Lee Child
They’re so good, and not at all the fussiness you might expect. I hope you try one, Debbie.
That looks so easy! I really must try it. I have had them at restaurants, but never actually bought one. Although I do drink a lot of the juice!
The plants are supposed to be perfect for this climate, but I don’t know of a single home gardener that has a pomegranate tree around here. I don’t even see them at the botanical garden or the arboretum. Very odd, and I must find out why before I get all excited about growing one of these lovely trees.
Katrina Blanchalle recently posted..Sewing? Really? When?
Where is “here” for you Katrina? Southern California? Arizona?
I am smack in the center of Phoenix AZ. The gardening zone maps are a source of great amusement (frustration) to us because they are designated by *minimum* temperature. Our problem is the maximum!
Katrina Blanchalle recently posted..Sewing? Really? When?
I hear you on that one, Katrina. Ahh, but I love Phoenix and visit there often. In fact, my oldest daughter just moved there – so looking forward to being there even more often.
Yay! Email me next time you come! I would love to meet you! We can go fabric shopping (winter) or sit around and complain about the heat (spring, summer, fall).
Katrina Blanchalle recently posted..Fresh From The Garden
Not only do I not know how to seed a pomegranate, I’m not sure I’ve ever eaten one.
All I know is your post has made me hungry, and that salad looks heavenly.
(Too late to dash out to the supermarket or Whole Foods? Maybe tomorrow?)
BigLittleWolf recently posted..Flash Fiction: The Nokia
You, my cosmopolitan friend, have never tried a pomegranate? You’ll love them. Hoping you get to Whole Foods tomorrow..
All these years I’ve been cutting and seeding pomegranates wrongly. This is – the way you’ve described it here – so simple and easy. Can’t wait to try it. One of my favorite winter fruits – for sure!!!
Marcie recently posted..Show Stoppers
Mine too, Marcie. A winter fruit – love how you put that – they’re rare.
I have a recipe for a grapefruit pomegranate salad that I will have to dig out soon! Had forgotten about it. It will be so much easier to make this time now that I know your secret seeding method!
May recently posted..Letting Go
We always eat pomegranate at home, it is such a healthy a beautiful fruit all around…Your photographs are amazing Barbara and the tip to seed them is something I did not know. Thank you for sharing it here. Enjoy your week-end
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