Friday, November 22, 2013

Food Fact Friday: Peeling Pomegranates



Admittedly, I have a really average intelligence and yet there are a few instances in which I stumble across a sparkle of common-sense brilliance in a corner of my noggin.  The mess-less pomegranate peeling method described below is one of those moments of brilliance.  I was almost temped to call it "the underwater peeling method" but thought that maybe that would just sound a little too weird.  Regardless of what you would like to call it, it really does work.  Apart form the inevitable splatters made by cutting the fruit in half before the peeling begins, there really is no chance that you will make those blood red splatters that will stain your countertops (and windows panes!) for time and eternity.

How to open a Pomegranate: The (almost) Mess-less Method

1. Place a colander inside a larger bowl so that the colander rest fully IN it (it should not be hovering above the bottom of the bowl... at least not by much). 
2. Place bowl in a sink and fill with water so that the water line fills at least 1/2 to 2/3rds of the inside of the colander.
3. On a cutting board, cut the pomegranate in half and submerge one half under the water with cut-side away from you (in the water).
4.  Remove the seeds with your fingers by using a "rolling/peeling" motion.   It almost feels like you are massageing the seeds out.  The seeds should sink to the bottom of the colander while the white pithy part will float to the top.  Skim off these floating white bits and discard.
5. Lift the collandar out of the bowl.  Shake gentely to drain excess water. If necessary, absorb excess water by placing a paper towel over seeds and pat dry and/or continue to shake colander.   
6. Store covered in the refrigerator for 3 days or serve/ eat immediately.
7. Enjoy the fact that you that you haven't stained anything (hands, counter, sink...anything!)

2 comments:

Alana said...

I've always wondered......do you really eat the seeds????????

The Beauty of the Lord said...

Ha! Yes indeed you do! Unless you threw them into a juicer or had the patience to spit each seed out after sucking the juice off each one there is really no other way to do it! Personally eating the whole seeds has never bothered me plus they add more fiber into you life right?! Typically, the seeds are sprinkled onto salads or into yogurts for texture as well as flavor. You normally would not eat the seeds from an entire pomegranate at once. :) If you haven't tried one yet I would recommend it. I know they tend to be expensive but I think the experience is worth it...at least once!