It wouldn’t be Cinco de Mayo season without a shout-out to good ol’ guacamole. Chunky, smooth, spicy, tangy—I don’t discriminate when it comes time to guac out. And while I’m all for a classic guacamole recipe, I’ve discovered a fruity mix-in that adds a burst of flavor and color to the creamy dip. Enter pomegranate seeds … and their notoriously difficult extraction from the pith that binds them.
I figure you can go one of two ways when it comes to seeding pomegranates:
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- (Wo)man up and dissect the intricate fruit yourself, risking staining your fingers, counters, clothing and anything/anyone else that comes within a 7-foot radius of your bold endeavor.
- Buy the pre-packaged seeds that have already been extracted by a kind, patient and nimble-fingered individual.
Now I’m not going to share which category I fall under, but it’s not Category #1. Past experiences have taught me that the “under water pomegranate extraction method” (read: seeds sink, pith floats) proves most fruitful and least messy. However, based solely on my admittance that I carry one said Tide To Go pen at all times may indicate that no method is mess-proof enough, and thus worth the red-stained risk.
Feel free to add your go-to methods for extracting pomegranate seeds in the comments section below! And for all those looking for other takes on traditional guacamole, don’t miss fan favorites Guacamole Bruschetta and Quinoa Guacamole Salad.
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Ingredients
- 2 medium ripe avocados
- 1/3 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
- Chips or assorted crudité for serving
Instructions
- Halve and pit the avocados then scoop out the flesh into a large bowl.
- Add the red onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper to the bowl, mashing the mixture together with two forks until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Stir in the pomegranate seeds then serve the guacamole with chips or assorted crudité.
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Recipe by Kelly Senyei of JustaTaste.com.
I was a bit skeptical, but this combination is unbelievable! The pomegranates add a pop of sweetness to each bite. And, yes, I went the fast route and bought the pre-packaged seeds. :)
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Rachel!
Lovely with Beantos white bean chips (no corn!) I used all organic ingredients for best flavour and healthier. I used a good sea salt, no lemon juice was on hand so freshly squeezed orange worked, I added some crushed garlic & cayenne. Pretty!
This is such a refreshing idea! I want to try it and see how the pomegranate tastes with avocados :)
Thanks, Mary!
Kelly, I love this idea! What a gorgeous color contrast. My go-to method of extracting seeds is walking into Trader Joe’s and grabbing their packaged variety :)
Seriously, here is THE best way to extract pomegranate seeds. All seeds extracted in a bowl, all pith plucked out…whole thing from start to finish: about 30 seconds and ZERO mess. Really!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ7dk9nDR-k
CANNOT wait to pick up a pom and some avos at the store tomorrow to give this a try, looks and sounds lovely!
This was the star at my Mexican food Christmas dinner. I can hardly wait to make it again! Thanks for the recipe!
Awesome, Jeneanne! So glad you enjoyed the recipe :)
Made this last night and it was FANTASTIC! Thanks for the idea.
I’ve always been luke warm on pomegranate seeds, but this past winter I fell in love with them, like eating half a pomegranate a day. I always seed my own, though. I find the best way it to cut it into quarters and pick them out with my fingers. It sounds worse than it is. They typically come out in bunches and don’t make too much of a mess. And adding them to guacamole – I’m in love.
Great method, Laura!
Oh my word… YES! This is perfect for next weeks celebrations!!!
that color in the photo is just stunning!
like artwork you know?
what a treat!
This looks soooo good. I love avo and pom together. Such beautiful colours and flavours. They complement each other so well. Beautiful photography too :)
Such a great idea to include pomegranate seeds! It makes it look so pretty and I’m sure it tastes amazing.
Lovely way to take guacamole up a step!
Now this is a guacamole I could enjoy! Love the addition of pomegranate, Kelly!
I must try this! What a delicious mix. The first time I’ve ever gotten my hands on a pomegranate (as a kid), I was in love. It was new and different from any other fruits I have come across. I had so much fun picking out the seeds. You can imagine what a mess it made on a little kid.
I bought one of those pomegranate deseeder contraptions and I LOVE it. It is life changing. Yes, life changing! You cut the pom in half, put it on the deseeder, and give it a few whacks. The seeds just fall out. Love the idea of adding pomegranate seeds to guacamole–and it is beautiful too!
Love the combination of tart pomegranate and smooth avocado!
I’ve never thought to pair these two – but now I really want too!
I love the pomegranate addition! It looks delicious. I saw this on Amazon the other day, and while it seems to be some kind of witchcraft, I am going to try it at some point. Mark my words. It has good reviews though.
http://www.amazon.com/Seconds-Pomegranate-DeSeeder-Logistica-Innovation/dp/B0073ROS0G/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1366921627&sr=1-2&keywords=pomegranate
I’m currently in Mexico, enjoying eating my body weight in guacamole (one of my all-time favourites). But I really like this twist with the pomegranate seeds. Will give it a try when I (ever) get back in a kitchen!
Wow, that guacamole is a looker! I love the addition of pomegranate. Gives it lots of color and texture. Lovely post…
I loveeeee that you added pom seeds to this! I never would have even thought about it!
This is a Cinco de Mayo winning combo!! I love the pom arils! I could et avocado all day long. Lately I have been, so this is perfect!
What a fun and fruity twist on this guacamole!!!
Pomegranate seeds in guacamole is a great idea! That little burst of sweetness among the creamy avocados would turn anybody into a fan.
Pass the chips, I’m ready to dig in!!
Poms & avos, what a brilliant couple.
Love the colours, too.
great idea Kelly! Miss you! xoxoxoo
how beautiful! and tasty too, i imagine :)
This is a must make!! My favorite dip of all time combined with one of my favorite fruits. :) So colorful and pretty. Brightens up guac any day. ;)
This is so gorgeous, Kelly! What an awesome idea to add colorful, nutritious pomegranate seeds to my favorite dip. Thanks for sharing!
I am loving this change! I can only imagine that pomegranate pop with creamy avocado!
This certainly brightens up guacamole! Fun!
it’s like you read my mind! I bought like 12 packs of pomegranate seeds at Trader Joe’s this weekend and after eating them non-stop, was thinking of throwing them into some Guac as well! Great share :)
Love the addition of pomegranate in this! It really makes everything pop!
This looks so beautiful and delicious! Love pomegranate seeds and guac so I’m definitely going to love them together :)
If you cut the pomegranate in half, then submerge it and your hands in a bowl/sink full of water, you can easily free the arils (which will sink to the bottom) from the white membrane (which floats). Skim all the membrane out of the bowl and drain arils. With this method, even if you happen to rupture one, it happens underwater instead of all over yourself!
Great method, Simone! Thanks for sharing :)
Pom + avo. It looks like it could be Christmas with the red and green :) So pretty!
The best way to get the seeds out of a pomegranate is to halve it, then place the cut half loosely in your palm over a bowl. Thwack it with a spoon repeatedly until the seeds fall out. No stained fingers, clothes nada. This way you don’t have pith problems either. Pomegranates are in season at the moment so will have to try the gaucamole. Thanks.
Love this idea, Tania!
Love the addition of pomegranates for that fruity kick (and I’m a complete pre-packaged girl in this situation too…)
Kelly, your Guacamole Pomegranate Dip looks divine! So innovative to add a punch of sweet pom! Pinning… xo
Cinco de Mayo perfection, Kelly! I love the pomegranate addition to one of my favorites!