Pomegranate

Know this

Score the fruit around its equator, break it open under a bowl of water, and work the arils out with your thumbs. The pith floats, the arils sink, and you skim the top and drain. Chef secret: no spraying, no stained counter, no swearing. The juice is a genuine dye and it does not come out of cotton, which is the entire reason this trick exists.

Cook

Mostly you do not cook them. Scatter them raw at the end, over anything roasted, where the cold pop against hot food is the whole point.

Season

October through January.

Best pairings

Feta · Walnut · Mint · Roasted squash · Duck · Tahini

Also worth trying: eggplant, lamb, parsley, pistachio, yoghurt, citrus, farro, chicory.

Recommended wine