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
Pomegranates evoke one of my favorite memories of early autumn. Juicy red temptations, packed with tiny seeds of promise.