Culinary use of the Pomegranate
To open the pomegranate, first score it with a sharp knife, then break it open. You’ll find the arils (seed casings) are separated from the skin and internal white supporting structures.
You can easily separate the red arils by placing the pomegranate in a bowl of water. The arils will sink and the white structures (pith) will float. Though you can eat the entire seed raw, it is the fleshy outer portion of the seed that is most desired.
The taste of the pomegranate can differ depending on the species and how ripe it is. Some descripe it as sweet will others think the fruit has a sour taste.
In the Middle East, Pomegranate juice very popular and it is also used in Iranian and Indian cooking. In India, fresh pomegranate arils are used in preparation of curd rice. Grenadine syrup is thickened and sweetened pomegranate juice and is used in cocktail mixing.
Prior to the arrival of the tomato in the Middle East, grenadine was commonly used in a variety of Persian foods and can still be found in many traditional recipes today including fesenjan (a sauce that uses ground walnuts and pomegranate juice).
Pomegranate seeds have been known to be used as a spice in Indian and Pakistani cuisine. The spice, Anardana literally meaning pomegranate (anar) seeds (dana) in Persian. This dried seed can be found in many ethnic markets. After trying for 10-15 days the seeds can be used as an acidic agent for dishes like chutney and curry.
If you dislike getting pomegranate seeds suck in your teeth, you can gind the seeds into a powder before applying them to the dish.
In Armenia the pomegranate is used in pomegranate juice. In Turkey, pomegranate sauce known as nar ekşisi is used as a salad dressing and to marinate meat. In Azerbaijan and Armenia, pomegranate is also used to make wine.
The Greeks use pomegranate in recipes such as kollivozoumi (a creamy broth made from boiled wheat, pomegranates and raisins), pomegranate eggplant relish, legume salad with wheat and pomegranate, pomegranate glazes, avocado and pomegranate dip, and more.
Click here for information on the History of the Pomegranate.
Click here for Pomegranate Health Benefits.
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