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Can you tell I've been having the best time with pomegranates? I ended up with a huge bowl of pomegranate arils (seeds) after doing the post on The Easy Way to Remove Pomegranate Seeds. So guess what's been swirling around in this girl's brain? Beautiful red-jeweled pom seeds, along with all kinds of ideas of how to use them. This tasty salsa is just one of them.
My husband Scott came home from work the other day and I had a bowl of this Fresh Pear & Pomegranate Salsa sitting on the kitchen island. Beside it was a bag of tortilla chips. He took a chip, scooped it in the salsa and popped it in his mouth as he walked past. Suddenly he stopped in his tracks, turned around and said, "WOW! That stuff is REALLY good!"
It's also light, lean and super healthy. It's great with tortilla or pita chips and would be fabulous served as a bruschetta; just slice a baguette fairly thin, brush it with olive oil and bake at 325˚F till golden and crisp. After cooling, spread it with a bit of cream cheese or goat cheese and top with a spoonful of this colorful, delicious salsa. Voila! It's a special occasion appetizer that comes together in minutes.
Pomegranates are one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Don't be intimated by them. Just check out the post I mentioned above, The Easy Way to Remove Pomegranate Seeds if you're looking for a super simple, no-mess way to extract the seeds. You'll be a "pom pro" before you know it!
With both pears and poms in season right now and very reasonably priced, be sure to whip up a batch of this yummy salsa. Family and friends alike will love it. Of course you can enjoy it with chips, but I also serve it spooned over pan-seared salmon ............ fabulous! There's lots of other ways to use it ....... just use your imagination! You might just find yourself eating it with a spoon, right out of the bowl. But don't ask me how I know about that! 🙂
- 1 cup pomegranate arils or seeds
- 2 medium cloves garlic finely minced
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- zest of 1 medium lime
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 medium pear peeled and diced small
- ½ medium white onion diced small
- 4 medium green onions finely sliced
- ½ cup finely chopped cilantro
- 1 medium jalapeño very finely chopped
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Drain pomegranate seeds then transfer to a bowl that has been lined with several thicknesses of paper towels. Cover with another layer of paper toweling and set aside. This will dry you pom seeds so they don't "bleed" on your pears and other salsa ingredients.
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Combine garlic, lime juice, lime zest and honey in a small bowl. Stir till well combined.
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In a medium bowl combine pears, white onion, green onion and jalapeño and stir to combine. Add lime/honey mixture and cilantro and gently stir. Add pomegranate seeds just before serving and stir to combine. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with a extra cilantro, if desired.
Serve with pita chips or tortilla chips. See other uses in post above.
Krista says
It looks fabulous! How many servings does this make? So glad I found your site.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Krista, this makes a nice big bowl. If you're serving it as a salsa with chips, it will easily feed 8-10 as an appetizer. You may have some left over but it's also wonderful to serve on a plain salad or to spoon over grilled chicken.
amanda says
I made this for my book club meeting tonight and the girls went crazy and requested the recipe. I made it exactly as written and it was just the best! I'm truly grateful that I stumbled upon this blog.
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you so much Amanda, I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. People like you make our day!
Christie Daruwalla says
What a gorgeous recipe Chris. I love all the flavors. I'm adding it to my Christmas Party list.
- spoonstories- says
Very impresive salsa! Really is something I want to try soon! Thank you Chris! Photos are amazing as always ^^
Suzy says
I just had to make this salsa after it stopped your husband in his tracks. We both loved it. I never even opened the bag of pita chips, but served it as a side dish with dinner instead. Thank you for your recipes and your super helpful hint on how to deseed a pomegranate.
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you Suzy for getting back to me about your yummy dinner. Thanks also for your encouragement - I'm still quite thrilled about the pomegranate technique 🙂
mia xara says
How colorful and so appetizing,Chris!!!Very festive looking! Wishing you and your family a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving celebration 🙂
lena says
i feel like walkin out of my house now to buy some pomegranates! i like how you paired it with pears and it's so pretty!
Andrea_TheKitchenLioness says
Dear Chris, what a very refreshing twist on Salsa - colorful, healthy and seasonal - what more could one want from a lovely bowl of Salsa?! The pomegranate and the sweet pears together with the salty chips do sound like quite a winning combination - what an innovative look at the traditional recipe! You have the very best ideas, my friend!
Have a fabulous Sunday and keep those wonderful recipes coming!
Kitchen Riffs says
This is inspired! Never made a salsa with pomegranates before. But you know I'll have to give this a try! Particularly since I bought a mess of pomegranates after reading your method of easy seed extraction!
Mary Callan says
What a wonderful salsa! don't you just adore pomegranates! love the combination of flavors here!
Mary x
bellini says
WE like super healthy Chris.
Madonna/aka/Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon says
Chris, this looks so delicious. I have been binging on pomegranates.
Kathy says
Lovely salsa…love the combination of pears and pomegranates. So pretty for the holiday table! Sounds delicious, Chris!
Cathy at Wives with Knives says
The perfect holiday appetizer! What a great alternative to all the rich, heavy dips and spreads we will soon be seeing.
Angie Schneider says
This is so Christmas-y and beautiful!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Beautiful salsa, would be such a hit on a holiday table!
Tricia Buice says
You are so creative! I love pears and pomegranates so this is perfect for me. I'm sure I would love it. Have a great weekend Chris.
Lynn@Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
Looks like Christmas in a bowl! Gorgeous, healthy and very tasty I'm sure:@)
Jennifer@ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
This is the perfect Fall and holiday salsa! I love it and i happen to have all of the ingredients. I have to make this for my weekend snacking!!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
Gorgeous salsa with those wonderful colors and contrasting flavors...
The Mom Chef says
I love that you stopped your husband in his tracks. That's definitely the sign of an outstanding creation. I think I'd agree with him. This looks awesome.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love this fresh and seasonal salsa, so pretty and festive!