[Photo: Jessica Leibowitz]

Originally cultivated in the Middle East and Eastern Asia in countries including Israel and India, the pomegranate was brought to Latin America and California by the Spanish in the 1700's, where it is, to this day, grown primarily for its juice. It's in season in the Northern Hemisphere from September to February; now is the time to get your fix.

The fruit's seeds can be eaten raw, used as a garnish for salads, or juiced as a base for soups. Removing the seeds can be frustrating, but with this quick how-to video prepared by our very own J. Kenji Lopez-Alt you'll be doing it like a pro in no time.

Pomegranate Recipes

• Turkey Salad With Pomegranate And Pistachios
• Gourmet's Mango Pomegranate Guacamole
• Winter Farro Salad
• Curd Rice (Indian Rice With Yogurt)
• Chiles En Nogada

How to you use your pomegranates?