pomegranate

A fruit about the size of a large orange with a thin leathery skin or rind that is typically yellow overlaid with a light or deep pink or rich red. The interior is separated by bitter cream-colored membranes backed with hundreds of seeds. The tiny edible seeds are surrounded by a translucent, bright-red pulp that has a sweet-tart flavor. The juicy, sweet seeds are eaten on their own, used as a garnish, or squeezed to yield a juice. Grenadine, a reduced juice from fresh pomegranate seeds, is common in Northern India not only for desserts, but also to marinate meat; due to its content of proteolytic enzymes,it acts as a meat tenderizer.

plural: pomegranates

Ingredient

Season: October - November

How to select: Choose fruit with a bright color and blemish-free skin. The ripe fruit makes a metallic sound when tapped.

How to store: The fruits improve in storage, becoming juicier and more flavorful. Refrigerate for up to 2 months or store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 month.

How to prepare: Can be eaten out of hand by deeply scoring several times vertically and then breaking it apart. The clusters of juice sacs are removed out and eaten. The sacs also make an attractive garnish when sprinkled on various dishes. To juice: Remove the sacs and put through a basket press or extract the juice by reaming the halved fruit on an ordinary orange juice squeezer.

Matches well with: bananas, cheese, chocolate, cream cheese, grapefruit, yogurt