Pomegranates!

 

Have you tried pomegranates yet?  They are red round fruits filled with yummy pulpy seeds.  Years ago, I found some in the local produce store run by a family from the Middle East.  Since then, we have probably bought them about once or twice a year.  We also frequently buy juice blends with pomegranate in it.  I love the flavor that it adds.  

We saw fresh pomegranates in Aldi the other day for about 69 cents and my son picked out the one in the bowl above. 

Observing the shape, I see that it is a curvy pentagon.  When I cut it open, that geometric shape is confirmed.  I can clearly see five sections that remind me of a star, an asterisk or a snowflake.

The inside of the rind has little curvy indentations which nestle the seeds.  There are also thin membranes which keep them in place.  What a package!

I extracted the seeds by hand and removed all of the membrane pieces from the bowl.

Just how do you eat one?  Check out this web site (which has lots of other “how to” tips on gazoodles of weird and not-so-weird topics!)  How to Eat a Pomegranate at eHow   (For the record, you can swallow the seeds.  A little extra fiber for your diet!)

You can find recipes using pomegranates here at Simply Recipes.  Also check out the nutritional data.  Pomegranates have antioxidant properties, and are a great source of  potassium and Vitamin C.  (These web links are great sites for other foods, too.)

Then read the Greek myth of Persephone and the pomegranate, which attempts to explain why we have seasons, especially spring!   Peresphone at History for Kids 

Pomegranates are mentioned numerous times in the Bible, usually in reference to their decorative motif use on the temple columns and on the robe hems of the high priest.  Click here for the verses:  Pomegranates in the Bible.  Jews eat pomegranates during Rosh Hashanah.  Many Torah scrolls are stored with silver pomegranates (rimmonim) over the two upper scroll handles.   Pomegranates are also used to decorate the Sukkah hut during the Feast of Tabernacles, the Jewish festival of thanksgiving for the fall fruit harvest.  A pomegranate is said to symbolize righteousness, fertility and everlasting life, and often appears in religious paintings. 

"Madonna of the Pomegranate"
Botticelli

I hope you've enjoyed a little background information about pomegranates!

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• Whole-Hearted Home on Wednesday
• Ann Kroeker's Food on Fridays

The top photo in this post is for this week's Autumn Harvest theme at:

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