A year or two ago we discovered pomegranates. No, we didn’t really discover them, we just added them to our diet. They are supposed to be powerful antioxidants, vitamin C or rich in polyphenols or something like that and we were keen to seize any natural supplements that we could—especially delicious ones.

According to Wiki, the name “pomegranate” derives from Latin pomum (apple) and granatus (seeded). In Italian the word for apple is melo, so at the market in Italy, we ask for a melograno.

In the states we originally bought pomegranate seeds in the deli section at a couple of grocery stores. But, they are pretty expensive, so we decided to harvest our own seeds. We have never seen just the seeds in Italy, so the decision to harvest our own seemed pretty smart, especially since we didn’t seem to have a choice. But how?? I promptly went online to learn. There were a couple of techniques, so I tried each one. The method that I rejected was the “hold a pomegranate half over a bowl and smack the rind with a large spoon” technique. Somehow the red inside spattered all over the kitchen walls, as well as on my face and hands. That approach seemed a little gruesome, not to mention unappetizing. So I concluded that the underwater technique is by far the cleanest, easiest and fastest. Let me explain.

A pomegranate can be cut in half on any cutting board. But you will notice that immediately, the cut halves begin to leak juice.  Although the juice is a pretty color, you don’t really want that color to stain your clothes, or hands and face. (See paragraph above.) So here’s the trick. Have a deep bowl or pan of water handy. After you’ve cut the fruit in half, halve it again, then again. Now you have a half that is in quarters, making 4 manageable sections. Slide them into the water. Repeat the quartering process with the other half and toss them into the water, too.

Now here’s the magic part: Because the pieces of pomegranate are “hand-size” you can easily reach down into the water and simply open them up. The seeds will fall to the bottom of the bowl and the skin floats! After you’ve released the seeds from all 8 sections, just skim off the floating rind and pulp. Your beautiful little pomegranate pearls will be glistening in the bottom of the bowl. Drain off the water and store the seeds in the fridge. Sprinkle some on you next salad and then wait for the healthy side-effects.

Are you waiting? Feel anything yet? No? Hmmmm. Not even a little?  Don’t you even feel a little more oxygen in your air? How about free radicals—do you notice any of those? No, not the ones from college in the late 60s. Oh, well. Not to worry. Your cells know what to do with all of that good stuff. They are busy pairing up all those free radicals and turning them into a magic anti-ageing elixir. Okay. Maybe that’s an exaggeration, but surely your efforts will be rewarded someday. Soon.

In the meantime, enjoy your salad.

Posted on October 19, 2010

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