Pomegranate Salad / Nar Salati
I wrote earlier that my favorite vegetable is eggplant. But I have a favorite fruit, too. POMEGRANATE! In California, Farmers Markets, some grocery stores carry this fruit, usually during the pomegranate season, which is around November-February. During that time I run from store to store in search of the juiciest, largest, cutest pomegranates! Then I bring them home and with my daughter who is addicted to pomegranates (runs in the family?) too, indulge in eating this wonderful fruit with crunchy seeds, without caring about the stains they leave on our faces (washable) and clothes (difficult to wash)! If you don’t want this part, buy bags with fresh pomegranate seeds that sell in some groceries. Now, why else I love pomegranates and what we do with it in Azerbaijan.
Pomegranate boasts many health benefits - it is believed to cure nausea and bring energy, and is a good source of Vitamin C, B, is rich in antioxidants and etc. This wonderful fruit is not foreign to Azerbaijani cuisine. The city of Goychay, and several others are famous for their juicy pomegranates that range in taste from sweet to sour and tangy.
Azerbaijanis use pomegranate in a variety of dishes to add flavor and tanginess to them. Thick paste-like syrup called Narsharab is used as a sauce with fish dishes. Freshly squeezed juice of pomegranate mixed with sugar syrup makes a refreshing drink during hot summer days.
This simple and flavorful salad I am posting today makes a great appetizer, too. My dear sister Leyla in Baku shared the recipe with me, so I am dedicating this one to her. Let’s try it together. Have fun seeding the pomegranate!
POMEGRANATE SALAD / NAR SALATI
Preparation time: 1 hour, including boiling potatoes and refrigeration
Cooking time: None
Serves 4 to 6
INGREDIENTS
1 medium pomegranate
4 medium potatoes, boiled and peeled, cut into small bitesize cubes
1 small red onion, cut in half lengthways and finely sliced along the grain
½ cup chopped fresh dill or cilantro (coriander)
3 tablespoons mayonnaise or more, to taste
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste (optional)
VARIATION: If you do not like mayonnaise, substitute it with sour cream or creamy plain yogurt.
1. Extract the seeds from a pomegranate into a bowl as follows. With a sharp knife, cut off the crown top of the pomegranate. Make a shallow spiral cut in the skin around the fruit. Holding with both hands, pull the pomegranate apart to break into half, then into quarters. Invert each pomegranate quarter by pushing the skin with your thumbs to let the seeds fall out. You may need to pick the remaining seeds with your hands. You should be able to get about 1 cup of pomegranate seeds. Remove any white pith and membrane that may have fallen into the bowl, as they are bitter in taste.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine potatoes, onions, pomegranate seeds and fresh herbs. Add mayonnaise, taste for saltiness, then season with salt and pepper to taste, then mix thoroughly with a spoon. If you prefer a moist salad, add more dressing, to taste.
3. Chill in refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before serving. Serve plain or with bread. NUSH OLSUN!
- Shannon: Thank you for your reply
I - FERIDE - AZCOOKBOOK: SHANNON - This is not a traditional
- Shannon: Hi, is this Azerbaijani cuisine?? I would
- Yuliya: I grew up eating these! My Grandma
20 Comments Add your own
1. Anonymous | February 1st, 2008 at 6:19 pm
beautiful photography. makes me go buy pomegranates. you are so talented!
2. Emel | February 2nd, 2008 at 7:35 am
Dear Farida,
First of all let me thank you on behalf of all Azerbaijanies for the site you made. It is very informative and thorough. Actually I tried the several dishes and they are just great !
What made my life easy is your bread recipe . The measurements are just right to make it extremely tasty. Thanks again for all your efforts !
3. Fay | February 9th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
This salad looks beautiful and tasty!
4. AzAzura | February 10th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
i think this is a very pretty dish!
5. Farida | February 11th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Thank you for your comments! Enjoy!
6. Marysol | March 27th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Farida, I’m as big a fan of pomegranates as your daughter, and I’d completely forgotten about a pomegranate I’d been saving in the fridge for several weeks, that is, until I saw that work of art that is your salad.
If I manage to resuscitate my somewhat withered pomegranate, I’ll have to try your recipe.
7. power | October 25th, 2008 at 2:25 am
Farida, Those look so beautiful , I’m want to taste very nuch.
8. SaintJ | November 2nd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Hello Farida. ? am from Geogchay. You know Geogchay is famous by its pomegranates. But I have never heard about tis salad. I will make it. Be sure. Thanks a lot.
PS: There are white pomegranates here in Goychay. They are much more sweeter. I am gonna try with it=)))
9. jonnahaxton | December 9th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Hi Farida,
I am leaveing Baku on Friday and I was wondering if there is a shop in Baku where I can buy your cook book as I would like to try many of your reciepies at home over christmas.
Many Thanks
JD
10. PASTURKEY | January 22nd, 2009 at 1:27 pm
te?ekkürler farida nar vitamin deposu…salatayada çok yak???r hafif mayho? tad?yla.thanks again for your nice recipes with us.best wishes….
11. PASTURKEY | January 22nd, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Thanks farida again for your nice recipes sharing with us.good idea this salad in pomegranete.Best wishes….
12. farida | January 22nd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
PASTURKEY: You are very welcome. This salad is indeed loaded with vitamins. Enjoy!:)
13. nora@ffr | June 1st, 2009 at 11:24 am
i just luurve the unique way of you presenting the recipes with excellent pictures faridha.. keep it up!! pomegranate is a very healthy fruit which i love very much.. gonna try out this salad!! looks very yummyy
thanx a lot for sharing
14. sabina | September 17th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Farida its so yammmmm my husband is Persion he loves pomegranate I will definetly try this salad tomorrow thank u so much keep up a good job we really love u
sabina
australia
15. mahsati | October 25th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
I tried this one too when Invited my friend over my house…ooh she loved it..especially red onion & dill gives special taste..Thank you! Love all your recipes!!
16. Margot | November 13th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Hey,
I was missing reading your posts too
Just linked to your salad in my pomegranate post, hope you don’t mind…
Enjoy your weekend!
17. pomegranate and potato sa&hellip | October 10th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
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18. AZ Cookbook - Food From A&hellip | November 10th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
[...] how do I love thee. That’s right. I have a soft spot in my heart for this exotic fruit (for pomegranates too, remember?). I like to eat it as is, skin and all, and I also like it as a preserve. Quince in [...]
19. Vusala Safarova | January 31st, 2013 at 8:50 am
Just made it! It’s delish!!!
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