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Fresh Holiday Salsa with Pomegranate and Crisp Veggies

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This festive salsa combines juicy pomegranate seeds with crisp cucumber, bell pepper, and fresh herbs for a vibrant, healthy appetizer. Quick to make and perfect for parties, it’s a refreshing twist on classic salsa that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup pomegranate seeds (arils) (about 175g)
  • 1 medium English cucumber (about 7 oz), diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper (about 4 oz), diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion (about 1.5 oz), finely diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (about 0.35 oz), chopped
  • 1 small jalapeño (about 0.5 oz), seeded and minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons feta cheese, crumbled
  • Optional: 1 small avocado, diced

Instructions

  1. Cut the pomegranate in half horizontally. Hold a half over a large bowl, cut side down, and tap the back with a wooden spoon to release the seeds (arils). Remove any bits of white membrane. You’ll need about 1 cup of seeds.
  2. Dice the cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion into small, even pieces. Mince the jalapeño, removing seeds for mild heat or keeping a few for more kick.
  3. Finely chop the cilantro. If using mint or parsley, chop that now too.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, add the pomegranate seeds, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro.
  5. In a small bowl or directly over the veggies, stir together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
  6. Pour the dressing over the veggie mix. Stir gently with a spoon until everything looks glossy and evenly coated.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more lime juice, salt, or jalapeño as desired.
  8. If desired, add crumbled feta, chopped mint, or diced avocado just before serving.
  9. Serve immediately or chill for 10–20 minutes to let flavors meld. Drain off excess liquid if needed before serving.
  10. Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy with chips, pita wedges, or as a topping for grilled meats or fish.

Notes

Chill ingredients before chopping for extra crispness. Dice veggies to match the size of pomegranate seeds for best texture. Salsa is flexible—swap herbs or fruit as desired. Add salt and lime just before serving if prepping ahead. Gentle mixing keeps pomegranate seeds whole.

Nutrition

Keywords: holiday salsa, pomegranate salsa, party appetizer, vegetarian salsa, gluten-free salsa, festive salsa, easy salsa recipe, healthy appetizer, winter salsa, vegan salsa

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/fresh-holiday-salsa-recipe-with-pomegranate-and-crisp-veggies-easy-party-appetizer/