It Really Works!

I'm not big into single-function kitchen gadgets...which explains why I was improvising a week ago with a grill pan and a skillet for a weight since I can't see buying a panini press. But I was intrigued last week when I saw the pomegranate deseeder gadget on display next to the fresh pomegranates. They're in season now, you know, and there's just something fascinating about this odd-looking fruit with its juice-filled seeds. In addition to the delicious sweet/tart taste, they're really good for you too.

But...and this is a big one...they're a pain to peel. The seeds are good but I'm not sure they're worth all that effort. And that's why I was intrigued by the deseeder. Fast-forward to this week and I went beyond intrigued to putting one in my cart. It helped that a) I found a recipe I wanted to try and b) it only cost $3.99. The recipe was only so-so but the deseeder worked like a charm. And since the recipe only used a small amount of pomegranate, I have plenty left over to snack on.

You start by cutting the pomegranate in half, then scoring around the edge five or six times. We're after all those little seeds called arils. They're a lot like miniature grapes so you can't just pick them out or they'll pop. And the juice is the best part.

Then you turn the half upside down on the deseeder. This was the crown end which I cut off to make the next step easier. Wayne likened the deseeder to an upside down dog dish with the bottom cut out but it serves its purpose.

Then you whack away. The instructions say to use a spoon but I found the ice cream scoop to be the perfect tool. It was just a little sturdier. The rind splays out with only a few hits and the seed drop through to the surface below. I probably didn't need a paper towel over the first half but there was enough juice on the board to take the extra step. My efforts to contain the mess weren't too successful so you might consider doing this step in the sink.

This picture is poorly focused, I know, but I wanted to show how the seeds all dropped through. There are still some bits of the white pulp with it but essentially they're loose so you can just pick them out and toss them. When I finished, I had a nice-sized bowl of these tasty little gems...plus the ones Wayne and I popped in our mouths as we were doing this.

I can't vouch for the fact that we deseeded our pomegranate in 60 seconds but it was pretty darn quick, especially when compared to the ways I've tried before. And for less than $4 it's a handy tool I'm happy to have, even if it won't last forever. It's always nice when something you think is too good to be true (and cheap to boot) turns out to really work.

Comments

[Michelle*GB]

Thanks for the review! I love, love, love pomegranates but not the work involved. I'm going to look for this little gadget so I can enjoy a few more fruit this year.

[Mary-Lou]

I am sold on the idea, now to just find one. We were at one of our local botanical gardens yesterday and they have a live pomegranate tree with lots of fruit, got me craving some.