The Jewel of Autumn: Pomegranates

They say it’s the things we work hardest for that reward us the most, and that is certainly true of the pomegranate. Ruby-red in color and bursting with flavor, the difficulty of de-seeding is worth it. Pomegranates are incredibly delicious and packed with immunity-boosting nutrition.

Pick up a bushel at several market stalls including Dhillon Farms, Debbie’s, Kaki Farms, and more! The deeper we get into the season, the more abundant they become. If dealing with de-seeding the thing isn’t your style, head on over to Skylake Ranch’s stall to pick up a myriad of pomegranate products – free of mess!

The easiest way to de-seed a pomegranate is to cut it into verticle sections, as pictured above. The goal is to remove all the seeds, called “arils”. These are edible all by themselves, as a topping for cereals, yogurts, and ice cream, or in your favorite recipes to add a pop of flavor. However you use them, pomegranates pack a major nutritional punch. While they’ll only be around through November, they are very easily stored long-term. According to Utah State food specialists Suzanne Jorgensen and Charlotte Brennand, you can “Store pomegranates in a cool, dry well-ventilated place. The fruit should be spread on shelves or tables or hung by tying strings to the fruit stems. Fruit can also be refrigerated. Fresh seeds or juice will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Use frozen pomegranates within 1 year” (From the article “How to Preserve Pomegranates“).

Boasting an average of 11 grams of fiber and 4.7 grams of protein per fruit, pomegranates are also high in important vitamins and minerals. Pomegranates contain calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium, but the stars of the show are vitamin c and vitamin B9, also known as folate. These vitamins and minerals have many beneficial properties, such as boosting immunity, reducing inflation, and supporting urinary health.

As we head into colder weather and our yearly cold and flu season, adding fresh pomegranates to your diet could help keep you happy and healthy all winter long. Make sure to stock up soon! The Pomegranate season is beautiful but fleeting.

Happy Eating!