Through the Fall and into Winter, pomegranates are in abundance. Here's what you need to know about how to pick them, how to use them, and their nutritional benefits.
Months In Season
September
October
November
December
How to Pick Them
Color: Look for a bright or dark red color
Weight: Look for ones that feel heavy for their size
Feel: Look for ones where the crown is only slightly squishy
How to Store Them
If you'll use them within 5 days, de-seed and store the arils in an airtight container in the fridge.
If not, just refrigerate them whole and they will last for around a month.
How to Open Them
Out of the various tricks out there, the water trick is the best. Basically, you score the pomegranate into 4 sections and then extract them in a bowl of cold water. This ensures that the juice doesn't squirt everywhere (as it does when you are just using a knife to cut through them).
Here is a wonderful video tutorial created by HolisticHabits.
Nutritional Benefits
Contain 3x the antioxidants than green tea or red wine (1)
May help fight against heart disease, prostate cancer, and breast cancer
Could help improve memory and brain function
Recipes
Breakfast: Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie
This wonderful refreshing smoothie contains only 5 ingredients. Perfect for the Monday-morning pick-me-up.
Snack: Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Spread (Muhammara)
This spicy snack can be devoured with some warm pita bread or cut up carrots and celery. It has good protein content from the walnuts, and also tons of Vitamin C from the red peppers. This spread uses Pomegranate molasses which is made simply by reducing pomegranate juice on low heat until it thickens.
Lunch/Dinner: Bulgur Pomegranate Salad
A twist on the classic Mediterranean Tabbouleh dish, this salad contains plenty of fresh seasonal ingredients to impress your taste-buds. Swap in half the amount of agave for the honey to keep this vegan.
Dessert: Pomegranate Poached Pears
It's rather decadent, but this dessert is sure to impress your guests if you're having a party. A quick note: make sure your wine is vegan. Here's a list of vegan wines to choose from if you are unsure. This can pair well with some coconut whipped cream.
Since there's only a few days left of December (the last month for its seasonality) go and make something wonderful! Happy cooking!