ancient indulgences

There are foods that stop time, that capture the sun inside them and every bite is a piece of some other place, taken out of time, and delivered to my mouth.

This occurred to me as I have lately been eating pomegranates. It takes me about an hour to eat a large pomegranate. It makes a big mess but every mouthful is a delight. I remember the first time I ever ate one – I was covered in juice and just giggling at what a mess and a joy the whole thing was.

Pomegranates are native to northern Africa, eastern Europe and western Asia. They are found growing in places like Turkey, Iran – think the Caucus mountains – and all the way west to the Himalayas where they reach into northern India. They have been cultivated for millennia and remain a popular food around the world and are naturalized in many regions.

Recently, there is an interest in the health benefits of drinking the juice – but I have noticed this phenomenon with just about anything that comes from a tree or a plant – it seems we have to use science to prove just how good fresh natural foods are and that is a shame.

I love eating pomegranates. It takes time to pull it apart and pick out each of the juicy seeds. There is something primal about it. . . I have been eating them for years now and somehow I am yet to grow tired of it. They are very good right now and will be through January. Try some on your granola or in your salad. I think it would be wonderful on pork, I must try that soon and let you know what I think.

If you have never had one I encourage you to try it. There is something ancient and mysterious about the fruit and it is an adventure and a delight to pull one apart and savor every bit.