No doubt, the renaissance of this magical fruit with ancient traditions has garnered a renewed affection for it’s bounty of sparkling gems (arils) hidden just beneath it’s outer shell. Some may be unaware of it’s origins in Persia and it’s promise of fertility and eternal life. Buddhists consider is one of the three blessed fruits. In Judaism, the pomegranate is said to contain 613 arils corresponding to the 613 mitzvahs or commandments in the Torah. In Islam, each pomegranate is said to contain one aril directly descended from paradise.
I recently made a trip to Smith Family Farms in Brentwood and picked both Crimson (red) and Blush (white) pomegranates.
As a child my parents would put one pomegranate in each child’s stocking and I remember being so excited to discover this magical orb and slowly savoring each jewel like aril.
As an adult, I find this a very romantic fruit. It’s truly a labor of love to extract the arils. To prepare a pomegranate for one’s beloved is a demonstration of your love and affection
A quick tip for removing the tender arils from the bitter pulp. Place 3 cups of water in a bowl. Score the top end of the pomegranate with a knife just through the skin making sure to cut through the flower base or crown. Submerge in water and gently pry the fruit in half then into quarters and as you work, the white pith will float and the arils will sink making it easy to separate the two.
Pomegranates range in color from pale green to pale yellow, red and deep purple and their flavor can go from quite sweet to tart.
Pomegranates also pack a bunch of beneficial nutrients like vitamin c, vitamin k and minerals like calcium, copper, potassium, and manganese. They are known as a “super fruit” for their purported reduction of risk factors leading to heart disease factors.
I love to toss a few pomegranate arils into salads and rice. They’re also wonderful savored fresh out of the palm of your hand.
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