Tuesday, October 28, 2014

A Precious Plethora of Ps

ABC Wednesday
October 29th, 2014
The letter is P



Yes, what a precious plethora of Ps presented when I went searching for fruits and vegetables that begin with this Plentiful letter. Parsnips and Parsley and Peas and Pumpkin and Potatoes on the Practical side, and for Pure Pleasure the Pear and the Peach, the Plum and the Papaya and the Passion Fruit all Promote good health, - to say nothing of the Pomelo and the Pineapple.....

But in the end I chose to tell you about the Pomegranate, that jewel of autumn fruits


Jean Townsend

Pomegranates have been cheriched for their exquisite beauty, flavor, color and health benefits for centuries.

They are royalty amongst fruit, symbolic of prosperity and abundance 
but their health properties are what make them truly precious.

Rich in antioxidants which help in the prevention of cellular damage,
a common pathway for cancer, heart problems, aging and a variety of diseases,
 the Pomegranate has abundant Potassium, folic acid and Vitamin C as well.

Research indicates that Pomegranates may be able to reduce blood pressure,  cholesterol build up 
and even slow down prostate cancer.

It is said that they contain three times more antioxidants than red wine or green tea.

The name "pomegranate" derives from the Middle French "pomme garnete", or seeded apple
and it is sometimes referred to as a Chinese apple.  Many scholars believe that the 
forbidden, yet irresistible, fruit in which Eve indulged in the Garden of Eden was actually a pomegranate, 
not an apple.


Here is a nice little recipe for Grenadine, a syrup flavoured
with pomegranates that may or may not contain alcohol.

Separate the pomegranate seeds from the membranes and skin of approximately two pounds of the fruit.

In a heavy saucepan cover pomegranate seeds with one pint of water
and simmer, stirring until juice sacs release their juice, about five minutes.

Pour through a cheesecloth-layered sieve into a bowl, pressing the juice
from the seeds, (which you will then discard - the seeds, I mean)

Measure the strained pomegranate juice and add an equal amount of sugar.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for ten to fifteen minutes.

Cool to room temperature and if you feel the colour of the juice is not to your liking
add food colouring.

Pour it into a decorative stoppered bottle, and voila - 
a wonderful grenadine syrup in children's drinks, or in alcoholic cocktails, desserts, marinades 
and other general recipes.

For more interesting Ps visit here at ABC Wednesday,
with Plenty of thanks to Roger and Denise and Proficient helpers.







11 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

What a lot of information Hildred - and a lovely painting too.

ellen b. said...

Very nice choice for the letter P. We used to visit cousins who had pomegranate trees in their backyard and we'd crack them open and eat to our stomachs content!

Lmkazmierczak said...

I have been enjoying raspberry/pomegranate juice, but that is as close to the actual fruit as I've been♪ http://lauriekazmierczak.com/prickly-burrs/

Roger Owen Green said...

I can tell you the year I first had a pomegranate; it was the summer of 1977, when I was living in Queens, NYC.

ROG, ABCW

MaR said...

Lovely choice for P, pomegranates bring back childhood memories to me!

Hazel said...

Most houses where I live (Thailand) have pomegranate trees in their front yard. Some belief on something I guess.

Trubes said...

Lovely picture of the pomegranate, one of my favourite fruits.
I like it in a sauce with roasted duck too.
Some interesting facts, on the strength of your information I'm going to get juice, hopefully to benefit good health!
Most interesting post,

Best wishes,
Di x
Abcw team.

Susan Moore said...

Pomegranate juice, fresh squeezed, is my favorite! Along with all the health benefits it is such a gorgeous color and the flavor is magnificent. I enjoyed fresh pomegranate juice in Xi'an China and Cappadocia Turkey - wonderful memories!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

The painting is so beautiful. Was listening to an NPR program yesterday where they were talking about using different-from-usual fall fruits. They mentioned pomegranates and persimmions and figs (which wouldn't fit today of course) and gave recipes for using all three (all three of which I've never really known much about). I was driving and don't remember any of them, but all sounded good.

Grenadine syrup and pom juice are the only things I know about this fruit.

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

What a lovely post for P Hildred. I didn't realise the pomegranate was so full of such goodness. I haven't tasted one for a long time but may look for one tomorrow now. A x

Indrani said...

Pomegranate has loads of food value. Good you highlighted it.
Happy ABCW!