This story is dedicated to my forever pomegranate best friend, Jenny.
The one fruit I have always been smitten with is the pomegranate. Not because of its highly sought after nutritional benefits or how it has become a “cool” fruit, but for other deeper reasons.
Flashback. We had one of the few backyards in my Riverside neighborhood with an actively producing pomegranate tree. As fall approached, we young ones anxiously awaited the season of the pomegranate. Fall signaled the dreaded shorter days, but hope was on the horizon. Every day I’d inspect the fruit, watching it turn deeper and darker red. When the fruit signaled its ripeness, I would call my friends to come over to share in the harvest. “It’s pomegranate time!” Back then, pomegranates were rarely used as a garnish or addition to a meal. They were purely for the pleasure of eating straight off the tree. It was an annual tradition —an event!
Extracting the fruit was an arduous task that my friends and I found challenging but more so entertaining. First, we peeled off the dark, outer leathery skin, then pulled the thin, bitter-white membrane away to expose the red seeds. We’d giggle at each other, the red juice squirting all over our faces, hands, and the old clothes our moms made us wear.
The fruit finally torn apart, we stuffed handfuls of the pomegranate into our tiny mouths, crunching through the inner white seeds to extract the tart juice and gorge until we couldn’t eat anymore. It was as if eating the seeds with such abandon and recklessness was our own private ceremony, a time to share secrets. We weren’t trying to figure out which balsamic vinegar to pair with them or how to bake them into a chicken recipe. It was just enjoying the moment in its simplicity, bare and naked.
In my teenage years, I began making pomegranate jelly. (This recipe is from Williams Sonoma and includes apples!) It was a real gourmet treat that I gifted to friends at Christmas. I’ve graduated from jelly to pomegranate martinis, paired with gin or vodka, which is always a favorite for a Halloween or Christmas cocktail.
Five years ago, I finally planted my very own pomegranate tree, and it is definitely the happiest tree in my yard! It grew quickly, now topping 25 feet, its branches dominating a large part of my garden. I let her have her space. Her vibrant, soft, billowy leaves catch the sunlight and remind me of a time of carefree indulgence, stained hands, and friendship bonding – over pomegranates.
“Fun fact #1 about pomegranates: Pomegranates are awesome.
Fun fact #2: Pomegranates are like little explosions of awesome in your mouth.
Fun fact #3: A lot of people think you’re not supposed to eat the seeds of a pomegranate – but that’s not true, people who tell you that are liars, and they don’t know anything about life, and they should never be trusted.”
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Ciao for now,
this fruit is just one of the fruits/vegetables I miss when I lived in /cally………….the other I yearn for are the Artichokes. Memories of yummy artichokes made by my Daughter in law Marla while we spent relaxing evenings in Irene/Bills time/share in Lawrence Welk’s Resort…………….along with a squash dish made by April (Mrla’s sister)..fun evenings eating yummy food and then playing cards into the night………….. everyone trying to teach me how to play including the grandsons……………such great memories to keep me company for many nights…………..
So wonderful you share your childhood memories………………sweet………………. luv u cuz
jane
Sweet memories..it was my kitchen when it came to jams and jellies.. ah.. the sweet red juice squirting on us as the extraction began! But the end result was always a special treat.
Dear Jane, I’m glad I can stir up some fond memories. It feels good to go to that happy place of long ago, doesn’t it? Sending you love alwyas! XXOO
Dear Mommabird, You were very patient and tolerant of the mess we made! Thanks for always opening up your kitchen to us and for buying a house with a pomegranate tree!! XXOO
I love how you progress from bare and naked pomegranates to jams and jellies to martinis! We forget so many things in life, but this piece reminds us to hold onto what’s real: the experiences we share with the people we love. Vivid piece, Mary. As I read it, I could also visualize this beautiful scene!
Let’s make jelly next week! I will be in the neighborhood!
Dearest Mary,
Your Riverside reminiscence just takes me back in time! I felt like I had on my oldest teeshirt and shorts, and was enjoying this beautiful fruit right along with you! Juice running down out chins and laughter filling the back yard.
Thank you dear friend.
Thank you Bonnie! I wonder why the pomegranate had such a magical effect on us as children? It was a grounding experience or ceremony, maybe to usher in the cooler days, Glad I could take you back! XXOO
Eva, sounds fun!! XXOO
Thank you Linda. There are some memories that really pop as those special, simple moments and this was one of them. I appreciate your comments!! XXOO
This is a beautiful post. Thanks. I love pomegranates too, seeds and all!
When I moved with my family to Riverside,CA. late January I had no idea that our neighbor’s yard had a pomegranate tree until October 1967 whose branches hung over backyard fence. My mom encouraged me to try this special fruit…unique taste. My fingers with the red stained fingers, nail beds and lips. This tree is still producing fruit but one has to be fast for the local birds also enjoys this tangy fruit.
Thanks for your comments Nanette! Every childhood should have a dose of pomegranates. They are food and art and fun!!! XXOO