I was already familiar with POM Wonderful’s popular pomegranate juice, but the California-grown arils first appeared on my radar when I was looking for ways to dress up my mashed potatoes. In season from October through January, the vibrant seeds come in four- and eight-ounce packages. They add a sweet (and slightly tart) bite — along with a festive spin — to appetizers, dinners, desserts, and cocktails.