Pomegranates – sown in seeds aplenty, overflowing with the richness of goodness, beauty and health – these red ‘n’ pink ‘n’ yellow fruits can bring back the roses to your cheeks for the wonders they do to your body. And so we have the National Pomegranate Month celebrated in the month of November to crown the fruit as the reigning queen just next to the mango, with some recipe ideas to enjoy the fruity delight.

Initially, native to the Middle East and the Mediterranean, pomegranates spread to grow under sub-tropical climates. Let’s deseed the wonder fruit to understand the essence of a National Pomegranate Month and celebrate with some fun recipe ideas made out of the fruit.
Pomegranate has long been hailed for its health and beauty quotient. Loaded with antioxidants healthy for the heart, the fruit has inherent properties to fight blood pressure and dental plaque and, reduce the risk of blood clots. The fruit may also aid in preventing and fighting cancer, and being a natural aphrodisiac, it works skin deep to keep you young and beautiful. The fruit has been given the “super-fruit” title by the ACAI Health and Nutrition Resource Center;  for its supreme nutritional power and unrivaled taste-punch.
The exotic fruit, thus, deserves the spotlight it enjoys at present. And the National Pomegranate month in November, celebrates the season of fruit from September to January.
Here are a few pomegranate recipe ideas to enjoy the taste and health of this delectable fruit.
•    Pomegranate ‘Dream’ Cake :  The fruit in a bake seals goodness with unbeatable taste.Pomegranate juice(store-bought), applesauce, carbo chips, wheat flour and a range of other ingredients make your dream come true for a truly, caringly done cake made of pomegranate juice. Cakes are the ultimate way to celebrate the festive spirit. And pomegranate ‘dream’ cake simply adds to the mood and spirit of National Pomegranate month.
•    Pomegranate Salad : Raw, wholesome and invitingly juicy- do you need anything more tempting? The ‘ruby-like’, pomegranate seeds, with arugula leaves in a dressing of olive oil and balsamic vinegar- the red ‘n’ green color combination seen through your wishful perspective, to make it appear in a rainbow of colors, pomegranate salads are indeed a tasteful treat.
•    Pomegranate wild rice salad : Are you getting wild for not having enough recipe ideas with pomegranate to celebrate national pomegranate month? Relax! Pomegranate wild rice salad comes to your rescue. Cooked wild rice, sliced fennel seeds, shallots, celery stalk, pomegranate arils pepped up in a vinaigrette of pomegranate juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and red wine vinegar. Will you be carried away by the color or the flavor?
•    Pomegranate-mint glazed pork chops : Pork chops juiced up by pomegranate…mouth-watering isn’t it? Then read on. Pork chops in a marinade of pomegranate-infused vinegar, olive oil, sprigs of mint, pomegranate molasses and grated ginger is tempting enough. Then, the pork marinade is slowly grilled and served hot. Tangy, tart or sweet ‘n’ sour…leave aside the distinction,  as this recipe for pomegranates celebrates the perfect fusion of pork and “poms”.
•    Pomegranate Cranberry sauce: Cranberries, pomegranate arils, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, brown sugar and zest of lemon to make up a sauce. Well what flavor would stand out distinct? Cranberries or pomegranate or the evolution of a new flavor? Try this out for national pomegranate month with some unique recipe ideas with pomegranate.
•    Pomegranate chocolate chunk ice cream : Ice creams are a delight and mix it up with a fruit like pomegranate and you have twin delight. Made of pomegranate juice, fat-cream, pomegranate liqueur, a bit of juice, some bits of bitter-sweet of chocolate…and you will have this recipe swirling in full swing to deliver to you dollops of ecstasy.
•    Pomegranate Mojito :  A cocktail in honor of a pomegranate and the exotic fruit reciprocates doubly, with an irresistible flavor. In a mix of white rum, pomegranate juice, a bit of lemon juice, soda water and mint leaves to garnish, you have the mojito still swaying under the flavor of the ruby seeds of pomegranate.

The above recipe ideas with pomegranate to celebrate National Pomegranate Month in the most fruitful, fun and fashionable way, brings out not only the beauty of the fruit but also the embedded ‘arils’ of health, which proclaim “Beauty lies deep beneath the skin!”  

Photo Courtesy : pomwonderful.com