Friday, January 2, 2009

POM Wonderful

There are many a videos out there on how to open up a pomegranate, many I think advocate using water to help separate things out. Tried it, don't like it. I thought it actually made things harder. And it still left a little "tail" of white stuff (apparently called albedo) that I always had to go back and pick off.

To help out those who haven't done it before, or simply share the way I go about opening it up, I tried to take some photos along the way. I've never timed how long it takes, but leaves me with more of the beautiful arils and less of the albedo attached to the arils. I tend to do such things like chopping veggies or opening a pomogranate while watching a favorite show or, if i need some inspiration, the foodnetwork. Yesterday we had the Bones marathon... So here you are, take it or leave it :)

I start by cutting off the stem end, and scoring along the "edges" of the fruit. I know they are not true edges, but it's not round, more like a polygon :) maybe 5- or 6- sided? Don't go too deep, but just enough to cut through the tough skin. If you put pressure on the knife, you'll feel it's a little tough through the skin, then it will get easier--STOP! You've reached the goodness that lies within.


Then, using the scoring, I try to pry segments apart. The first is always hardest, but work it a little bit and it'll come apart.


Then I just pop the arils out of the membranes (or catching them as they fall away), pulling out more segments from the fruit as I go along. Did I mention it's good to have a container ready?



They say to look for fruits that are heavy for their size. Vague, I know, but if you pick up two, and one feels heavier, take that one. If not, your guess is as good as mine! I don't think I've gotten any that are entirely bad, sometimes if it's sat around too long there are parts that aren't good, but those are easily avoided. I have seen stores selling arils themselves, out of their skin, if you prefer to go that route! Whatever you do, enjoy the antioxidants :)

I just love the crunchy bursts of flavor these arils provide to any dish. The contrast is especially nice when paired with a smooth ingredient like yogurt, panna cotta, mousse, or even white or dark chocolate. How about in guacamole or a salsa or two for your upcoming football parties? They can dress up a salad or side dish (acorn squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, brussels sprouts, you get the idea). Add some flair to your main dishes. Don't forget to try them in your baking! I haven't thrown them in a stew our soup, but hmm, now that's got me thinking... They also look good with melty cheese. Alright, I need to stop with the link/idea love, it's getting me hungry!!


Here's to a happy, healthy, and tasty 2009!!! Hope everyone had a save and enjoyable eve :)

24 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Love it!!

Happy New Year to you as well :-)

Erica said...

great picture explanation!

Meg said...

Great post. I may have to go get a pomegranate now and try this.

Maria said...

Nice post! I love poms!

Every Gym's Nightmare said...

I love poms!

I love your new header too!

Kelly Turner
www.everygymsnightmare.com

Gena said...

I just cut them in half and then wack the back of it with a wooden spoon. Gets out quite a bit of them, and lets you take out some aggression! Then, of course, I go back and pick out as many of the others as I can.

Esi said...

Happy New year!! I still have a pom laying around, but I think I will enjoy it with some vanilla honey ice cream :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your way of peeling the pomegranate... I think I do something similar although you definitely have to catch me in the right mood to actually want to do it. My sister on the other hand finds in soothing and can do dozens at a time with no problem. Crazy girl! Love all your recipes with poms!!!

Reeni said...

Happy New Year! Thanks for the great tips! I'm craving some pom bark now.

Anonymous said...

I heart everythign pom related! :) Happy New Year!

Balance, Joy and Delicias! said...

such a detailed explanation. I am agree with you, the water method does not help much. I think the only way to peel it is be patient and peel one by one.
:D

Anonymous said...

Mmm. I love pomegranates. I haven't delved much into cooking with them beyond salads or topping yogurt with them. I love that pop! they make when you bite into them. :)

Anonymous said...

LOL i am still cracking up about your comment on my blog "holy crepe" i have to remember that one next time i have them!!!!!!! :)

i love pomegranates by the way - my store just stopped carrying them this week tho!!!!!! i am SOOOO upset - i didnt realize they go out of season in january :/

Anonymous said...

Oh my, I adore pomegranates! Thanks for reminding me to hoard them before their season ends again...

Happy new year to you too! :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the explanation! I love pom seeds :o) The link love is great, too!

HangryPants said...

Thanks for the explanation! On Christmas Eve my family had pomegranate martinis and we had to look up how to open it. The way we followed suggested making little cuts around the top and then peeling back - kind of like your method,

Anonymous said...

poms are my absolute favorite.

messy as hell but I love em and have trashed many a shirt (sad, I know) while enjoying.

Mrs. LC said...

Great how-to! I love pomegranates, I eat the arils like candy!

Love the header, too! :)

I wanted to reply back to you here, too, but I guess try the email again? There are no periods in mrslcblog, so maybe that was it? I hope you can get it to work, I love email! Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

I love pom. Why must they be so difficult?

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

Happy new year! You just reminded me that I have 2 juicy pomogranates in the fridge.

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

Thanks for the tutorial. I never buy pomagranates because they intimidate me!

Anonymous said...

This is perfect timing... I've been telling myself that it's time to incorporate pomegranates into my routine, and now I know how!

Thanks a bunch!

All the Best,

Andrew R

Darius T. Williams said...

LOL - thanks for posting this - lol!

Happy New Year as well!

-Darius
www.everydaycookin.com

Sara said...

I love pomegranates, and when you add arils to dishes it just looks so pretty!

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