Life
6 Tasty Pomegranate Recipes in Honor of National Pomegranate Month
The pomegranate: the most high-maintenance of all the fruits. Lovely little gems of tangy juice lie under the taut rind, but they make you earn their awesomeness. (Pro tip: you may want to wear a bib.) Once you’ve carefully sliced the fruit open, you have to paw off the clusters of arils (fancy word for seeds) delicately, or else perform your surgery under water, as some pom experts recommend. About 10 minutes and a couple of stained fingers later, you have a bounty of juicy jewels. You're ready to celebrate National Pomegranate Month. Yes, that's a real thing.
The pomegranate may be the best edible example of delayed gratification both taste-wise and nutritionally. The seeds are loaded with antioxidants, and a single pomegranate has 40 percent of your daily value of vitamin C. The seeds are also a great source of vitamin E and fiber. Plus, pomegranates contain chemical compounds called punicalagins, which benefit the heart and blood vessels — they lower cholesterol and blood pressure and increase the speed at which heart blockages melt away. A super food that tastes super good! Whether you sprinkle them on a salad or mix them into a salsa (who knew?), pomegranate seeds are well worth the trouble it takes to collect them. Here’s a round up of delicious recipes that feature our favorite winter fruit in all its splendor.
Image: Green Kitchen Stories
Red Quinoa Pomegranate Salad
This salad is as fun to look at as it is crunchy and delish. Quinoa Kale Exhale’s dressing has maple syrup in it, which adds a touch of familiar sweetness.
Image: Quinoa Kale Exhale
Blood Orange and Avocado Salsa with Pomegranate Seeds
No, you read that right: pomegranate seeds in salsa. But The Fromagette’s salsa is not your average dip. The combinations are so unexpected, it’ll turn your winter fête into a fiesta.
Image: The Fromagette
Persian Pomegranate Mocktail
Like a pomegranate margarita! This slushy drink is even better as a cocktail, in my opinion, but to each her own. The Shiksa in the Kitchen adds lime juice and rose water. Cheers to the pom!
Image: Shiksa in the Kitchen
Chocolate Pomegranate Mousse
With just four ingredients, this mousse looks like the easiest decadence around. Leanne of Healthful Pursuit is making us crave many, many servings.
Image: Healthful Pursuit
Mustard, Quinoa, Cranberry & Kale Salad
Green Kitchen Stories adds some oomph to a kale salad with roasted pecans, pomegranate seeds, and a mustard vinaigrette. This could add a nice, light counterpoint to the otherwise-heavy Thanksgiving table fare.
Image: Green Kitchen Stories
Frozen Pomegranate and Cashew Cake
A cake so creamy and tangy, you won’t guess it’s vegan. Green Kitchen Stories comes through yet again. They suggest this is a Christmas cake, but I endorse it as a 12 Days of Christmas cake.
Image: Green Kitchen Stories
