How to: Open a Pomegranate

By Alexandra Caspero on November 26, 2012

Sometimes I wonder how the first person discovered the greatest food gems. Who would have thought underneath a prickly artichoke you would find the heart? Or stuffed in a ruby pomegranate you would find sweet, juicy seeds (called arils)?

While opening and de-seeding a pomegranate might seem a bit daunting, the reward is worth it. I prefer this method for opening a pomegranate over the water trick.

What you need: a small pairing knife, cutting board, bowl, strainer, spoon

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Place the pomegranate on the cutting board, using a small pairing knife slice the crown off the end.

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Now that the end if off, you should be able to see small quadrants that separate the seeds.

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Cut each section out and set aside. Use the white spaces between the arils as your guide on where to cut.

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Remove the sections

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Place the strainer over a bowl. Flip the section upside down so arils are facing down towards the strainer and skin is up towards you. Use the back of a spoon and tap over the entire skin. The arils will fall out into the strainer. Continue until all arils are out. Repeat with remaining sections.

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Rinse in cold water.

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It might seem like a lot of steps, but it takes no time once you know what you are doing. Full of fiber, antioxidants, pomegranates are the perfect winter treat!  I love using the seeds in this salad, perfect for fall. Spinach in a dijon vinaigrette,topped with sliced pears and pomegranate arils.

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What’s your favorite way to use pomegranates?

 

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Meet Alex Caspero

Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Chef, and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.

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