This post is an addendum or bonus to the last post, It’s Winter: What’s in Season? In addition to the 10+ in-season crops I mentioned, my mom reminded me we are also on the tail end of the California pomegranate season. Both she and my cousin have turned me on to a great method of pomegranate aril (seed) extraction.

1. Cut the skin along the equator of the fruit but not too deep. You don’t want to damage those rubies!
2. Twist the fruit open into halves.
3. Loosen the chambers of white pith holding the arils.
4. Hold half the fruit over a bowl and whack (!) the back of it with a wooden spoon. The arils should fall out without much pith.

Here’s a Youtube video demonstrating.

Also, pomegranate molasses?! Yes, please! If you interested, check out these recipes.