Pomegranate Molasses

***** All Photos taken by Anne Frandi-Coory.

Pomegranate tree in my Melbourne garden:

*********************************

The best method I have found is to score the skin around the fruit, then twist to separate into halves, giving each half a firm squeeze to loosen the arils. Then hold the fruit cut-side down in the palm of your hand, fingers outstretched, over a bowl. Strike the outside of the fruit firmly with a wooden spoon. The arils and juice will tumble out between your fingers. It is a strangely satisfying procedure – the muted violence of the strike of the wooden spoon erases hours of labour from the past, and the fruit running through your fingers gives a sense of prosperity and achievement.

Once all the arils are released, they can be turned into that wonderful product, pomegranate molasses. The commercial varieties are a muddy brown colour that are a far cry from the fragrant, vibrant version you can make at home. The molasses can be used in dressings, in desserts, or even simply spooned over ice-cream. [I make pomegranate drinks by adding sugar and simmering gently to make a syrup then top up with lemonade or soda water. AFC]

First, the seeds need to be crushed for their juice. I do this by pushing them through a fine sieve with the end of my wooden rolling pin. [I prefer to use a large orange squeezer to do this which is more effective and quicker. If pomegranates are too large, cut the fruit to fit. AFC] Once all the red juice is separated from the seeds, discard the sieve contents.

Now, with my new-found surety of tapping the seeds out, I can be found making as little as one pomegranate into molasses for instant use.

****************************************

**********************************

Place the juice in a heavy-based stainless-steel pan, bring to the boil and reduce very slowly until the mixture is syrupy and coats the back of a spoon. [I let the juice simmer for about 30 minutes. AFC]

It will keep in the fridge for six months.

*********************************