Comments (0)

By superfoodie, September 20, 2009 9:44 pm

Whether we like it or not, the fall season is almost upon us. I know, I know, we’ve barely made it halfway through September, but traveling through my produce market last week, I spotted one of my favorite signs of fall and winter- A large barrel of beautiful red pomegranates! These antioxidant-rich winter fruits are native to the Caucusus region of Asia, but have formed a place in the hearts of people all over the world. In the US, we grow them in Arizona and California, and we import many from Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan,  and Latin America.

If anyone’s ever opened one of these complicated fruits, they might be familiar with the frustration of extracting the hundreds of tasty seeds inside. They can be troublesome if you don’t know the best way. Personally, I like spending the time in the beginning to get all of the seeds out and cleaned. Then, when all the hard work is done, I dig in. Taking the seeds out one-by-one is just too time consuming. Try this:

Take a whole fruit and use a knife to cut it in half or peel a section of the skin. Use your fingernails to peel the rest as you would an orange. The seeds are embedded in all sorts of fleshy white pulp, so take the time to dig them out one by one. It’s really not difficult once you get the hang of it. Separate your seeds into one bowl and your peel and pulp into another. It feels like it could take forever, but trust me, when you’re done, it’s worth it!

Once you’ve extracted all of the seeds, sit back and enjoy! The pomegranate really produces a ton of meaty, juicy seeds. It’s not one of those fruits where you work for 20 minutes and then have nothing to show for it.

I like eating all of the seeds fresh from the fruit, but their culinary possibilities are really endless. Try them on a delicious green salad. They add such a tart and sweet crunch.  Or sprinkle them in yogurt or on granola. I’ve also had success incorporating them into meat dishes and glazes. And for all of the SuperDrinkies out there, try muddling some seeds with mint and natural cane sugar. Mix in some seltzer and nice white rum, and you’ll have yourself a delicious pomegranate mojito.

Have fun exploring the many uses for this delicious and unique fruit. Send us in your recipes or favorite pomegranate info! Till next time…

Comments (0)

By superfoodie, May 27, 2009 11:39 pm

Eating superfoods is like working out. The benefits can be amazing, but if you’re not doing the exercises right, the whole thing can become pointless. Too often, people think of superfoods as a “magic pill”, and then become disappointed when they don’t see overgrown biceps sprouting after eating spinach, Popeye-style. There is no food in existence which instantly provides you all the nutritional benefits you need, but some superfoods come pretty close.

Some superfoods are known for their high antioxidant levels. Antioxidants are like the hall monitors of the diet. They regulate oxidation reactions in the body, which can release damaging free-radicals in the process. Antioxidants prevent this. Goji berries, green tea, pomegranates, and dark chocolate are all praised for a high abundance of antioxidants, as well as other nutrients.

Other superfoods have ridiculously high amounts of fiber, which is absolutely necessary in detoxification of the body and cleansing of the system. A diet low in fiber (which many people have) doesn’t allow proper excretion of wastes, and can lead to anything from nervous disorders to digestive upsets to excessive sweating.

Many superfoods have nutrients like Vitamins A and C, folic acid, magnesium, potassium, or omega-3’s, which are necessary for health, but are not always found in the average American diet. Superfoods can offer a tasty addition to the diet and are great resources for sometimes hard-to-find nutrients.

Superfoods offer an array of nutrients which are health-supporting, but the benefits do not end there. Incorporating them into your diet leads to a healthier balance in fruits, veggies, grains, and proteins. Superfoods tend to be nutrient rich, but with lower fat and calories. In other words, when eating a superfood, you’re getting more “bang for your buck”. A diet rich in superfoods can lead to weight loss, improved appearance of the skin and hair, younger looks, increased energy and vitality, and a host of other benefits.