Pomegranates are one of those winter fruits that, like citrus, provides juicy, bright-colored and -flavored contrast to the hearty, comforting root vegetables we depend on this time of year. Not that there is anything the slightest bit wrong with turnips, yams, parsnips and potatoes, but their starchy, soft texture and earthy colors lack a certain je ne sais quoi. Or rather, I do know what they lack: juice and color. Pomegranates don’t look like they’d provide that, but they do. You just have to search.

Inside a tough-skinned red pomegranate are the seeds – corn kernel-sized rubies that first pop the eyes and then the tastebuds. They’re a great Valentine’s Day treat, the brilliant red of their seeds Hallmark-ready for the holiday of love. And since it takes a bit of work to get to the seeds, you probably see them about as often as you see cupid waiting at the MAX station with his bow and arrow.

But like love, the seeds of pomegranates are worth the wait. Cracking open the hard shell of the fruit reveals the seeds (proper name: arils). However, no matter what you call them, the seeds are famously covered with inedible pithy pulp that can be messy and hard to remove. Best to open the fruit in a bowl of water, thus avoiding the mess and allowing the water to bathe the seeds clean; the pulp will rise, the seeds will sink.

Middle eastern cuisines often use pomegranate syrup as an accompaniment to lamb or chicken. The syrup, found in middle eastern specialty grocery stores, is also great as a splash of brilliant crimson on vanilla ice cream. But the seeds themselves are always a hit as a sprinkled-on addition to many a green or grain salad. Here’s one to try.

Pomegranate quinoa and fennel salad

• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 medium fennel bulbs (2 1/2 pounds), cut lengthwise into 1/4"-thick slices
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1 lemon
• 1 serrano chile, seeded, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
• 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds (from 1/2 small pomegranate)

Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add fennel; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fennel is just tender and lightly golden, 10–12 minutes. Stir in lemon juice, cumin, and sugar; cook for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Meanwhile, bring quinoa and 3 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until quinoa is cooked, about 10 minutes. Drain; return to pan. Cover; let sit for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork; transfer to a large bowl.

Using a small sharp knife, cut all peel and white pith from lemon. Cut between membranes to release segments; discard membranes and roughly chop. Add lemon with any juices and remaining 1 Tbsp. oil to quinoa; stir. Add fennel mixture, chile, and herbs. Toss gently to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer salad to a platter; sprinkle with pomegranate seeds.

Recipe from Yotam Ottolenghi in Bon Appetit magazine.