I spied a bushel basket of pomegranates at the supermarket today, alongside an enormous display of watermelons. They were waxy-perfect, more exotic than the ones that grew in my grandmother’s backyard. Nana’s were dark crimson, not cherry red, and they were etched with brown patches that looked like the freckles on her wrinkled hands. Still, and although it’s a bit early in the season, they reminded me of her, so I decided to buy one.
The grocery clerk dragged my produce across the scanner, with nary a single glance in my direction. He mumbled something in Spanish–granada, I think–as he rolled the pomegranate toward the bagger.
“Have you ever eaten one?” I asked.
No answer.
“My grandmother had a tree…”
His head snapped up. “Mine, too!” And in that split second, we recognized each other as kindred spirits. “Listen, sprinkle some lime juice on the seeds. Add some salt and pico de gallo….” His eyes sparkled wet as he shared his grandmother’s secret recipe. “Try it,” he urged, “You won’t be sorry.”
Maybe I’ll experiment with that recipe one day. But this afternoon, I resorted to my favorite way of eating pomegranates: fresh and unadulterated, seed pearls oozing red as I removed the crown and tore into the fruit.
The seeds were sugary, sour, crunchy, juicy–a sunburst of flavors and textures, just as I’d remembered. I split the pomegranate with my family, realizing anew that it’s not the flavors I love most. It’s the sharing, the sense of communion that this sticky fruit inspires. Likewise, that’s the delicious take-away of my grocery store encounter.
You may remember that I took an ARC copy of THE MILES BETWEEN on a tour of the Orange County Fair. So much fun, and the book itself is awesome. At the very moment in which Destiny finds her life at the crossroads, she finds a beautiful pink Cadillac idling at the curb. Carpe diem, she thinks, and she embarks on an incredible road trip.
This is a high-speed read, with thematic signposts any teenager can relate to. With that in mind, Mary, would you please inscribe the autographed copy I won (!!) to Girls Incorporated of Orange County? I’m thinking it’ll be a wonderful addition to their library. And yours, my LJ friends, if you haven’t already treated yourself to Mary Pearson’s latest novel.
Inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold sm
We like pomegranates, too. 🙂
Yummy, aren’t they? And very messy. 🙂
I open and get the seeds out in a bowl of water and it works quite well to retain the mess.
Oh, you are so smart! My Nana used to hose us off afterward.
Pomegranites are the fruit of my childhood. My dad worked for a time in a grocery store while in grad school and he used to bring them home. I still love them. Definitely worth all the work. I just saw somewhere that the best way to “peel” them is in a water bath.
Someone posted a comment earlier about that. Too late for this particular pomegranate, but maybe I’ll try that trick next time. Although…a part of me likes the messiness. It reminds me more of my grandmother, I guess.
Isn’t it great, how much certain things from our childhood still resonate with us after all these (howevermany) years?
I’m glad you had such a sweet (and sticky) reminder of your grandmother. And a beautiful shared moment with a kindred spirit. 🙂
It’s amazing what memories smells and tastes can dredge up from our pasts, isn’t it?
Our senses are divining rods, aren’t they, leading us back to cherished memories. 🙂
Indeed they are… a song, a smell, a taste… our senses are such powerful, powerful things.
We had a tree when we lived in Texas, too. I have no idea how you eat them and deal with the seeds, but they sure are tasty!
Here’s a good tutorial, with pictures!
http://gourmetfood.about.com/od/cookingtechniques/ss/cutpomegranate.htm
I eat the white core, too–the’re tasteless, with the texture of nuts. But some people spit them out like watermelon seeds.
Do you miss that tree? I think it’s a romantic notion, even if you never eat the fruit. Nana also had apricot and figs growing in her yard…paradise.
Well, my experience living there was one of the more horrific time periods of my life, so I guess the memory of the pomegranate is a small positive I took away from it. But I do still like the fruits. (Turkish restaurants in Germany often sell bottled pomegranate juice–yum! All the flavor and none of the seed confusion.)
If I had an apricot tree like my in-laws, however, I would spend the month of June lying under it with my mouth open. Y.U.M.
Well, my experience living there was one of the more horrific time periods of my life, so I guess the memory of the pomegranate is a small positive I took away from it. But I do still like the fruits. (Turkish restaurants in Germany often sell bottled pomegranate juice–yum! All the flavor and none of the seed confusion.)
If I had an apricot tree like my in-laws, however, I would spend the month of June lying under it with my mouth open. Y.U.M.
I love that you made that connection.
I could have bought a 1/2 peck of pomegranates today, too, but I wasn’t sure what I’d do with that many!
Heh, a 1/2 peck! I guess you could juice ’em. But I think the real fun lies in the pop-juicy seeds.
OK, now I’m deinitely getting one since I haven’t had a pomegranate in decades!
I can see you now: hands stained red and crimson juice dripping from your chin. 🙂
I can see you now: hands stained red and crimson juice dripping from your chin. 🙂
OK, now I’m deinitely getting one since I haven’t had a pomegranate in decades!
Love this story and the way you make the connection to your life and the lives of others. You’re so very good at that! I was never into pomegranates (actually not into fruit) but there was a house with a tree in our neighborhood. I always felt bad at Halloween because kids would take them and throw them against the ladies house because she wouldn’t give out any candy.
Thank you so much, Susan. I think that’s a carry-over from my childhood. I was always searching for deeper meaning, yearning for ways to anchor myself and establish connections with others.
Pomegranates make pretty decorations, even if you don’t care to eat them. They last a very long time. 🙂
Love this story and the way you make the connection to your life and the lives of others. You’re so very good at that! I was never into pomegranates (actually not into fruit) but there was a house with a tree in our neighborhood. I always felt bad at Halloween because kids would take them and throw them against the ladies house because she wouldn’t give out any candy.
Love this story and the way you make the connection to your life and the lives of others. You’re so very good at that! I was never into pomegranates (actually not into fruit) but there was a house with a tree in our neighborhood. I always felt bad at Halloween because kids would take them and throw them against the ladies house because she wouldn’t give out any candy.
Thanks, Melodye! I will do this pronto. Fabulous and inspiring idea!
Thanks, Mary. It’ll be my pleasure to hand-deliver the autographed copy to Girls Inc.
Thanks, Melodye! I will do this pronto. Fabulous and inspiring idea!
I love pomegranates and I love this story…esp. your connection with the check-out guy. 🙂
I wish I could get my husband to eat them. He’s a Latin teacher and always says pomegranates remind him of the Persephone myth and he’d rather not be sent to the Underworld for 6 months out of the year, thank you very much. *eye roll*
Another chance encounter…and a touching experience, at that.
LOL about your husband, though. I choked on my iced tea when I saw your comment! 🙂
I love pomegranates and I love this story…esp. your connection with the check-out guy. 🙂
I wish I could get my husband to eat them. He’s a Latin teacher and always says pomegranates remind him of the Persephone myth and he’d rather not be sent to the Underworld for 6 months out of the year, thank you very much. *eye roll*