Maple Bourbon Bacon Salad with Pears & Pomegranate

Pomegranates, please!  

The pomegranate is a beautiful, somewhat strange, antioxidant-rich superfruit for all seasons. It’s an especially beautiful fruit to serve during the holidays, though, as the ruby red colors of its seeds add festive hues—and bursts of unique flavor—to salads, desserts, and side dishes. In some cultures, the pomegranate represents prosperity and health. Who doesn’t want those good vibes to end one year and ring in another?

Can a fruit be historical? Well, pomegranates have been cultivated around the world for thousands of years. They originally come from the region stretching from modern-day Iran to Northern India. They grow best in hot, dry climates, which makes them a popular crop around the world since they don’t require much water. In the United States, California is our primary place for pomegranate production, thanks to California’s growing conditions being  similar to places like the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

If you want to go all-out pomegranate theme at your next dinner party, we don’t blame you. Here are some ideas to incorporate more of its health benefits and colorful cheer: 

Pomegranate juice cocktail or mocktail: Swap pomegranate juice for cranberry juice in classic beverages like a vodka cranberry or cranberry juice with sparkling water. Add a sprig of thyme or rosemary into the glass, and you’re Christmas-cocktail ready. 

Pomegranate Parfait: Layer custard and pomegranates onto festive holiday dessert plates. Sprinkle on some cookie crumbles, and you have an easy, sweet, and tart dessert.  

Pomegranate Guacamole: Trust us on this one! Add pomegranate seeds (called arils) to guac for a surprise touch of sweet tang to each avocado-y bite! 

Pomegranate Bark: Switch up the peppermint bark and add pomegranate arils (and maybe a pinch of sea salt) to melted dark chocolate.