Saturday, October 24, 2009

Pomegranates


It's autumn and the pomegranates are ripe. They're beautiful, luscious and incredibly sweet. We have two pomegranate trees that are heavy with fruit. It's time to give. We're lucky enough to receive from our over generous neighbors & friends throughout the year so I love when it's our turn to reciprocate...






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Adriane & I 


Friends Never Leave Empty Handed...
Early last Sunday morning I was lucky enough to have a visit from one of my very best friends, Adriane. She lives in the city and it's hard for us to spend time together, so when she said that would stop by I was ecstatic.

We spent a few hours sipping coffee and talking when we decided to take a walk around. The first thing that she did was grab a pomegranate from one of our trees. She said, "I hope you don't mind". Seriously? Of course I didn't mind, she's one of my best friends and I have way more pomegranates than I know what to do with. So, there we under the tree enjoying pomegranates. I clipped a bagful for her to take home.
I think that she said that she had planned on using some pomegranate in a salad later that afternoon, delicious.


Adriane presents a sumptuous pomegranate. 


As we enjoyed pomegranates we discussed their many health benefits and also how wonderfully delicious they were. I also told her that I made a pomegranate liqueur last year and offered her a bit, but she declined since it was so early in the day. I used Iosifina's recipe last year. I need to try it again because although mine turned out beautifully, there's room for improvement.  I'm making more so I can make it even better!


Adriane enjoying a few pomegranates. 


Alexandra eating a pomegranate.
 Our children love snacking on the fresh fruit from our trees.

Often, I juice the pomegranates for the kids since they love it. I add sugar from time to time, depending  on the sweetness of the fruit  that I juiced. Sometimes they can taste bitter and tart.

I know that there many different ways to use pomegranates in cooking and I'm ready to explore. I'm also going to start applying the juice to my skin after cleansing my face as I've recently discovered that it could reduce the signs of aging as well as prevent skin cancer.    This year I'm really enjoying our bounty, can't you tell?





Health Benefits of Pomegranates

-Fights Breast Cancer
-Lowers Blood Pressure
-Lung Cancer Prevention
-Slows Prostate Cancer
-Keeps PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Levels Stable
-Protects Neonatal Brain
-Protects Arteries
-Alzheimer's Disease Prevention
-Lowers Cholesterol
-May prevent development of dental plaque
-Prevention of Osteoarthritis
-May reduce the formation of skin cancer
-Stimulates production of collagen & prevents breakdown of collagen fibers








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              Pomegranate-Wikipedia





19 comments:

  1. We all love pomegranates too. I haven't had any ripe ones yet this year. They are still a bit expensive here at the minute.

    I love them in a salad with Roka and balsamic.

    My favorite tip about pomegranates is to open them in a bowl of water. I had never thought of this before and found the idea in an internet recipe. All the seeds fall to the bottom and the yellow pith floats to the top. Not to mention avoiding the juices squirting out on your clothes!

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  2. Good morning Liz! Some of ours are overripe and going to waste. Once they fall to the ground and burst open, the flies & bugs take claim.

    I love them with Roka also. I grow Roka too.

    I love your pomegranate tip! I never knew that! I'll have to try it because we always get squirted by the juice when opening them.

    Have a fantastic weekend Liz!! :)

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  3. absolutely love them cheryl - we only planted a tree recently

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  4. How fortunate to have so many fruit trees on your property and also to have such an abundance so that you can share. I think there is nothing quite as wonderful as being able to give from your own garden. You make pomegranate liqueur?...ever had a pomegranate martini, they're delicious!
    One of my friends, who is über organic, makes a pomegranate rinse to enhance her red/auburn hair. Actually, I could notice a very subtle,but lovely, difference after she had done it one time, much like natural highlights for red/auburn hair.
    Are the little ones going to dress up in Halloween costumes?,carve pumpkins?, or is that too much strange silliness for your area in Greece? I've already made a serious dent in my candy supply that was intended for the trick or treaters, happens every year.

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  5. Cheryl, I only mentioned the hair bit because your hair looks to be the same lovely color as hers.

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  6. Hi Cheryl! Thank you for your comment about my pomegranate liqueur. We have some pomegranate trees at our house in Vatopedi, and I bet they've got a few lovely red orbs on them right now, too. Wish I were there to collect them and use them as you've suggested. Let me know how the juice on the face works out! Greetings to your lovely family.--Iosifina

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  7. Maria,
    here's hoping your tree stays healthy and produces beautiful pomegranates!
    I love having them. We had 3 trees last year but had to remove one-so I'm glad that the 2 that are left are healthy.

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  8. Biddy-
    Yes, we are fortunate that our property is rich with mature trees of all kinds. I love giving. In fact, I give more than I keep most of the time.
    Yes, I've had pomegranate martinis before. Thanks for reminding me, I'll have to make one soon!
    I might try using the juice in my hair, sounds like a good idea. Everything is worth a try. I already make a conditioner using my own olive oil! (btw, thanks for the compliment)
    Halloween...well, last year we threw a party for the kids. It was fantastic. We decorated inside and out, had spooky sounds playing outside. Our neighbors were weirded out but then we invited them over and they enjoyed themselves. We ended the night with a spooky walk through the haunted olive groves!
    This year we've been invited to a party and haven't quite decided on costumes but we will carve pumpkins. Hopefully, I'll post afterward. Enjoy your Sunday!

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  9. Iosifina,

    You're most definitely welcome. I can imagine how much you miss your pomegranate tree.
    I'll let you know about the skin treatment. Can't wait to try it this week.
    Have a wonderful Sunday!

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  10. Hi Cheryl. It;s really good to have the chance to be with your friends like you did with Adriane. Pomegranates are my favourites and in our yard we have 4 trees. This year hawever half of the fruits weren't good! Hugs from Lefkosia to all of you.

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  11. Hi Phivos...
    I agree, it's always wonderful to have time friends. Four pomegranate trees, that's probably a lot of fruit...even if it wasn't all good. You still have to do something with it and that means a lot of work!
    Hopefully next year you'll have a better outcome.
    Big hugs & little hugs from Thessaloniki:)

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  12. Hi Cheryl,
    That's an incredible bounty! I love that you and your neighbors can exchange food, it's a rare occassion in the states. When we were in Patras, my sister's neighbors brought fresh eggs, chicken and fruit almost daily. It was fantastic. I love the European mentality.
    Happy Harvesting,
    Angela

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  13. Hi Angela,

    Yes, it's incredible. I love sharing food too! With small children, we're receiving a lot! It is a rare occasion in the states, but I did have neighbors that shared there as well! I'd find veggies at my door step often...feels good...and that neighbor even weeded my front flower bed for me one Mother's Day!
    Have a fantastic week Angela!!:)

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  14. I love pomegranates and what a dream to have them growing like that! I live in Germany and we get lovely ones from now on for quite a few months for about 99c so the kids and I eat them every week- I deseed them into a bowl and they eat them with a spoon!
    Am very interested to hear more about using them on ones´face!

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  15. RML- I have to agree, it's wonderful to have them growing here. I wouldn't have imagined years ago. My kids love them, they eat the seeds or spit them out and I juice them. We just had a great laugh earlier tonight because I opened one and got juice everywhere...again. I'm going to use the juice on my face this weekend. I'll make sure to let you know how lovely (or not) it is. I'm glad that you found my blog!

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  16. The Bible describes in a very interesting way about pomegranate tree:

    http://koti.phnet.fi/petripaavola/Bible_Trees9.html

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  17. Juhani,
    Thank you for the link, very interesting. The pomegranate is also deeply rooted in Greek mythology. There's information provided within the Wikipedia link included in my post. Thank you for visiting and enjoy the rest of the day!

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  18. Love the whole post and really like the idea for the liqueur--I'm going to try it! Isn't it just amazing to live here with the abounding and yet variable produce available every month of the year? I have learned to appreciate it more every year I have been here. Took me a while to realize the depth, or at least to know what to do with it all. With food availability (or non-availability) and quality being what it is around the world, I feel incredibly fortunate. I see that you enjoy it thoroughly also :)

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  19. Thank you Demetra. The liqueur is amazing and my guests are always surprised as to how delicious it is. It is amazing to have so much fresh food available, I think we're spoiled in a way. How long have you been in Greece?
    I really started to appreciate the food here back in 1995, we lived here for a year and then went back to the U.S. - I went back changed and started to explore everything about food. I might not post a lot of actual recipes, but I cook everyday and try new things all of the time. The greatest reward for me is to see my kids love and enjoy food that's healthy and nutritious, they actually ask for lentils & fasolakia...they go out to the trees and pick pomegranates to snack on without asking- same with all of the seasonal fruits. I love it. We are incredibly fortunate to have all of us available to us. :)

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