Seeds of Wonder

Pomegranates are a beautiful fruit, with shiny red "jewels" called arils inside, containing sweet, juicy nectar that surrounds a white seed in the middle.  Opening a pomegranate and freeing the jewels from the fruit is hard work, but totally worth the effort.

Why would you want to spend so much time digging out those seeds? Someone said to me recently.

I was hunched over the kitchen sink, methodically nudging the beautiful shiny jewels from the flesh of a pomegranate.

“Arils,” I replied, feeling smug. “They’re arils, actually.” 

My first time tasting the inside of a pom was back in college.

My roommate and I were studying for a Spanish exam. When the task of conjugating verbs became overwhelming, we took a break. “Want a pomegranate?” she grinned.

I’d never even heard of them.

Ten minutes later we were sitting cross-legged on the floor and eating the poms “Rosita-style”. Her method was basically to cut the thing in half and simply crunch down on the juicy center.

The juice dribbled down our chins, onto our arms, our clothes, our Spanish notes.

We laughed. We ran to the mirror to see our crimson-stained faces.

I could not get over the juicy red jewels and the robust flavor! Mother Nature’s pop rocks!

To this day I cannot hear the Spanish language without craving pomegranate, so rich and indelible my experience.

The harvesting must not be hurried.

Google has numerous tutorials on how to get the gems out. There is the cut and beat technique, one I do not endorse. This involves precise and delicate cutting, followed by pummeling the fruit into the bowl. 

One such video claims the whole transaction can be completed in 10 seconds.

No, I prefer the slow method: the gentle nudging-out of each jewel from the pith. In this way I experience the pomegranate twice – once while thoughtfully de-seeding it and a second time savoring the vitamin-laden arils. The Word of God cannot be rushed; it offers lavish jewels meant for gently nudging out.

Packed with Vitamins C and A and high in fiber, these powerhouses fortify me against cold and flu season. Laden with wisdom and daily instruction, the Bible fortifies me against bitterness, anger and depression.

The medicinal plant qualities of the red fruit have 3 times the antioxidant activity of green tea. “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

The pomegranate is available in my local store from October through mid-January. This is why I have come to associate the fruit with Christmas. I have, in my stash of décor, a precious collection of golden pomegranates, made by Rosita. I can only smile with a grateful heart as I remember my friend who is no longer this side of heaven.

The sweet chin-dribble of red juice is my earthly reminder I will see her  again.

“a cantar con los Angeles” dear friend!

Your laughter lingers in my heart’s memory.

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