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Pomegranate seeds, or arils as they are technically called, are so delicious and nutritious! Those tart, lovely little gemstones are low in fat and cholesterol and high in vitamins, fiber, and minerals. They are also rich in antioxidants, decrease inflammation, improve heart health, and even increase endurance! In summary, tiny seeds=big benefits!
However great they are, those big round fruits that give shelter to the arils can be a little daunting if you don't know how to get at them. Grocery stores will often sell the arils all by themselves, but the mark-up is insane and they may not keep in the fridge as long since they are not as fresh as if you get them out yourself.
I scoured the web for the easiest way to deseed a pomegranate, and I'm very pleased to say I found it! So quick and simple, you only need a a few tools you already have, and the mess is quite minimal.
What You'll Need:
Step 1
Thoroughly rinse the pomegranate with water. Since you will be slicing through the skin, you want to ensure that you don't contaminate the inside of the fruit with any bacteria that might be found on the outside.
Step 2
Use a chef's knife to slice the pomegranate in half crosswise, across it's hemisphere (picturing the root/stem ends as the north and south pole).
Step 3
Hold one of the pomegranate halves cut-side down on top of your palm, and position your hand over a bowl. I like to keep the bowl on a towel or cutting board, as there will likely be some splatter that ends up outside the bowl.
Step 4
Using a sturdy spatula or spoon, firmly rap the outside of the pomegranate half (make sure you are holding the pomegranate fairly close to the bowl, or even in the bowl if you're using a larger one). Make sure your fingers are not pressed together; you should feel the arils falling through your fingers and into the bowl. Rotate the pomegranate half around your hand several times, and try rapping in different areas to release all of the arils.
Step 5
After you have done the first half, use your fingers to pick out any bits of the white membrane that may have fallen into the bowl. Repeat the process with the second pomegranate half.
You did it! Use your pomegranate arils in a green salad, a fruit salad, top your yogurt or oatmeal with them, add them as a tart garnish to a dip, spread, roasted or grilled meats...or eat them on their own! Endless possibilities now that you are a pomegranate pro :)
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