How To De-Seed Pomegranates Without Staining Everything, From A Nutritionist

Buying fruits and veggies in their whole form, rather than pre-chopped, is one of the simplest ways to save a few bucks. When difficult-to-peel pomegranates are in question, though, it can be tempting to pay for the convenience of prepackaged arils (aka the juicy, edible seeds from the pom). 

Before you give in, registered dietitian nutritionist and mbg Collective member Maya Feller, M.S., R.D., CDN, shares a couple of mess-free tricks for de-seeding pesky pomegranates yourself. 

One way to get the antioxidant-rich arils out of the pomegranate is to cut the fruit in half, "turn it over, and hit the rind with the back of a spoon until the arils fall out," Feller says. Of course, it's best to do this over a large bowl, which can catch the arils as they release, and keep the juice from splattering.

Once you've accessed your arils, you can snack on them solo or add them to another dish. The tart fruit helps round out herbaceous and salty flavors, like the mint, parsley, and feta in this rainbow couscous recipe. They also work well with most veggies, like this wild grain and Brussels sprouts salad or this butternut squash curry.