A jewel of a fruit

The first time I met a pomegranate was during my junior year of college while studying abroad in Jerusalem. My then (unbeknownst to me at the time) future Israeli mother-in-law showed me how to score the leathery skin and then immerse the whole fruit in water, pull it apart and rap on the skin to release the ruby red arils inside. They sank in the water and the pith and skin floated to the surface. She was intent that I grasp this vital skill of “peeling” a pomegranate without it squirting and staining your clothes.

I had seen pomegranates in paintings. I had read of them in Greek mythology and learned that they were symbolic of abundance and prosperity in many civilizations. I had even heard that some scholars believe it was a pomegranate that Adam and Eve ate in the Garden of Eden that fateful day (its botanical name, punica granatum, translates to “apple with many seeds”). Still, I had never seen or eaten the actual fruit. I was taken with the intense red of it and curious about all of those little bits and how to use them.

Some 35 years and many pomegranates later, I have learned a thing or two. No longer a rarity, stunning in color and sweet-tart flavor, pomegranates have become trendy and are called a “superfood,” touted as being nutrient-dense, rich in flavonoids and antioxidants and offering many health benefits. Pomegranates are mostly consumed as juice, and often the juice is used to create gorgeous and delicious dishes of all kinds.

Grenadine, used in many cocktails, is made from pomegranate juice (since this is the year of culinary do-it-yourself, try making your own). Dips and sauces can be made from the juice as is or with pomegranate molasses, a reduced, concentrated form of the juice, viscous and gooey and full of pomegranate-ness. Use it to braise duck or as a glaze for lamb chops. Drizzle it over a cheesecake for a dramatic, dazzling presentation. The arils are great eaten out of hand or sprinkled in salad and soup, where they add brilliant color, texture and bursts of flavor.

While not a holiday food, per se, the pomegranate is a fall and early winter fruit here in Southern California. It is an easy, vibrant way to dress up almost any kind of dish. Here are some favorite recipes from our archives.

Mulled Pomegranate Juice

Time10 minutes

YieldsMakes 1 drink

Bulgur latkes with pomegranate sauce

Time45 minutes

YieldsServes 6 to 8

Grenadine

Time15 minutes

YieldsMakes 1 1/2 cups

Carrot and pomegranate soup

Time1 hour 45 minutes

YieldsServes 4 to 6

Pomegranate and Citrus Salad

Time15 minutes

YieldsServes 12

Beet and pomegranate salad

Time1 hour 20 minutes

YieldsServes 6

Pomegranate-glazed lamb chops with rosemary applesauce

Time45 minutes

YieldsServes 8 to 10

Pomegranate-braised duck legs

Time1 hour 35 minutes

YieldsServes 2 to 4

Turmeric panna cotta with pomegranate and orange

Time45 minutes

YieldsServes 4

Pomegranate-glazed orange cheesecake

Time1 hour 30 minutes

YieldsServes 10-12