Daily Dish for Tuesday 8/9

[Denise85]

Seasonal Produce: Pomegranates

The pomegranate is often hailed as a wonder fruit — no doubt you've run across various juices and elixirs on your grocery store shelves. But does this tangy fruit live up to all the hype? And how exactly does one eat a pomegranate?

Studies suggest that pomegranates may offer three times the antioxidant power as green tea and red wine. In addition, pomegranates are rich sources of potassium, fiber, and vitamin C. For centuries this unique fruit has been used to treat illnesses throughout the Middle East and India. But before their surge in popularity, pomegranates weren't always so easy to find. You can enjoy pomegranates starting in Phase 2 of The South Beach Diet™ and pomegranate juice in Phase 3.

Buying
Their short harvest, from September to December in California, limits the yearly supply of pomegranates. If you're lucky enough to track down the fresh fruit, it can be a real challenge to pick out the ripest specimen. When shopping for the perfect pomegranate, hold the fruit in your hand and feel the weight. It should feel moderately heavy with a taut, shiny skin.

Storing
Pomegranates can be kept uncut in a dark, cool place for up to one month or refrigerated for up to two months. Once cut, you must remove the seeds and store in an airtight container for no more than three days. The seeds can also be frozen and saved for juice extraction at a later date.

Preparing
The seeds and pulp are the only edible parts of a pomegranate, and extracting them can be a bit of a challenge. To remove the seeds, cut off the crown end and gently break the fruit into sections. Place in a bowl of water and pry the seeds from the sections with your fingers. The seeds will sink to the bottom and can be strained with a colander. Once you have the seeds in hand, they can be eaten plain as a snack, added to salads or desserts, or used as a garnish for lean meats and fish. Pomegranate juice can be enjoyed as a breakfast juice, and as afternoon or evening refresher.