Pomegranate Roasted Asparagus is a unique and flavorful side dish, using pomegranate molasses and shallots to elevate this often plain vegetable. The combination is surprisingly tasty!
How excited do you get to eat vegetables? I thought so. 😁
I grew up in a verrrrrry cold part of the country, and fresh vegetables were not readily available in the winter. We ate canned vegetables: mushy peas, creamed corn, among others, and… the yuckiest asparagus. The spears were either mushy or woody, and you never knew which one you were going to get. Ew.
Then I moved to Arizona…
It was the first time I had ever seen fresh asparagus. I never knew it was such a beautiful bright green! I happily added this vegetable to my growing repertoire.
As a fully grown human with ever-expanding tastes, I was intrigued to see the combination of asparagus with pomegranate on a restaurant menu. I had to see if I could make an AIP/Paleo version, using these flavors.
Pomegranate molasses…?
Have you ever heard of pomegranate molasses? This interesting ingredient is only slightly sweet, and maybe a little tart. It is AIP-friendly, though Dr. Sarah Ballantyne (aka The Paleo Mom) urges caution when using any sweetener. Added sugars, even natural ones, should comprise less than 10% of total calories. She uses this brand of pomegranate molasses.
You can actually make your own! My friend Erin at Real Food and Love figured out how. Here is here recipe.
As I’m writing this, many of us are thinking about getting back on track with our health, myself included. There might have been a few too many AIP gingerbread cookies consumed in my house. By me. Yep. Hence my posting a vegetable recipe.
If this resonates with you, too, don’t beat yourself up too much. Just get yourself back on track, and eat some veg! I recommend this recipe next to a lovely piece of glazed salmon and mashed white sweet potatoes.
I’m wishing you much healing and happiness in the new year and always.
💗,
Wendi
Pomegranate Roasted Asparagus
Course: SidesCuisine: AIP, PaleoDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes10
minutesPomegranate Roasted Asparagus is a unique and flavorful side dish, using pomegranate molasses and shallots to elevate this often plain vegetable. The combination is surprisingly tasty!
Ingredients
2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
2 TBSP pomegranate molasses
1 TBSP lemon juice
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 bunch asparagus
1/2 cup sliced shallots
1/3 cup pomegranate arils (juicy seed thingies)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In a large bowl, whisk olive oil, molasses, lemon juice and salt.
- Wash asparagus. Trim off bottom third and discard. Toss remaining asparagus spears in the bowl with the sauce you just made. Remove asparagus spears with tongs (retaining the liquid for the next step) and place in a single layer on a parchment- or silicone-lined roasting sheet.
- Toss shallots in remaining liquid. Remove them with tongs, and place them next to the asparagus in a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes.
- To serve, arrange asparagus on a platter. Top with shallots, and sprinkle pomegranate arils over all.
Recipe Video
We are a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Wow, this looks wonderful and i’m trying it this weekend for a birthday party side dish! I’ve used pomegranate molasses ( bought at a mediterranean market ) for one recipe only for the past 15 years and never thought outside of the box!! Thank you! Surely this will open more uses!
[I use it in a rice/beet soup (with fresh parsley & cilantro) that is kosher for a March occasion by the traditional Iranian Jewish culture; learned from a friend and was hooked!]
Thank you for telling me this, Judy! I’m happy that I got to be a part of your creative thinking. 😀 I hope you enjoy the asparagus!
Pingback: The Ultimate AIP Pomegranate Recipe Roundup | Real Food and Love
Pingback: Paleo AIP Recipe Roundtable #299
Pingback: 10 More Easy AIP Asparagus Recipes | Gutsy By Nature
Pingback: 10 More Easy AIP Asparagus Recipes – Unclutch
Pingback: Coffee-rubbed Roast Beef (AIP/Paleo) - Wendi's AIP Kitchen
Thhanks great blog post