26 Pomegranate Recipes You'll Want to Make All Through the Fall

When the days begin to shorten, and we are all in need of bright flavors, cooking with pomegranate can add a bit of sparkle to meals. In fact, the seeds of a pomegranate are often described in jewelers' terms: rubies, garnets, glowing gems. And it's no wonder; they lend a vibrant pop of color, texture and flavor to side dishes, salads, and desserts.

Pomegranates, thought to have originated in Persia, are a feature of many Indian and Middle Eastern dishes, where the seeds are added to rice dishes and other grains and salads. The juice is also boiled down to make a sweet-sour molasses. Pomegranates are beloved in other cultures as well; especially Mediterranean ones, where the fruit adds distinctive flavor to sauces and meats, even drinks. The classic, bright red cocktail mixer, Grenadine, was named by the French for the fruit from which it was originally derived. In the markets of Rome, pomegranates are pressed with oranges for a sunrise-hued drink full of potassium and vitamin C.

How to Remove Seeds From a Pomegranate

The seeds are called arils and getting the dozens of arils out of a tough-skinned pomegranate may seem an impossible task, but it's actually quite simple:

1. Score the pomegranate around the perimeter. With your hands, pry the fruit open in half.
2. Next, flip it over so the seed side is down facing a bowl. Then hit the pomegranate with the back of a spoon to release all the seeds.
3. Discard the white membranes and any pith.

This method is the easiest and fastest way to the delicious seeds, whether you need them for drinks or hors d'oeuvres. You can also break the halves open, in a bowl of water, picking out the seeds while they're submerged to avoid splatters and red-stained hands.

Selecting Pomegranates

Look for pomegranates between September and January. Choose deeply colored fruits that feel heavy for their size, which means they're loaded with plenty of juicy seeds. The leathery skin should be shiny and tight; avoid any fruit that is cracked or has soft spots.

Storing

When kept in the refrigerator, whole pomegranates will keep for a month or more. Pomegranate seeds should be refrigerated and used within a few days, or, if packed tightly, can be frozen for up to three months; to use, scatter directly into dishes without defrosting first.

Our Favorite Pomegranate Recipes