Pomegranates ~

Well all seasons do come to an end, and this year like most, wasn't lacking in any surprises for me. Take the pomegrantes for instances, as this is what the post is about, harvesting in Arizona can be anywhere from early October through late December - so I've read. I've not harvested any out that late.

Darby ~

I believe two years ago - and hard to believe - we had a freak freeze that killed off fruit from all my trees/bushes. Everything from peaches, nectarines, pomegranates, even all the grapes went! In fact it killed the vines with one barely having a few leaves this year. Last year no fruit. I took a possible odd look at it as a rest and hopefully fruit would show this year. And we did! 

As far as the poms go I've always had success with one bush. The one pictured had a couple the previous year nothin really to show. This year it produced many though to my surprise it wasn't the same variety of pomegranates. The labeling was not correct with the plant and said it was the same as my good producer.

As you can see the outer color is different from the common poms we see in stores that is reddish. This outer part (the epicure) or husk a hard layer that protects the fruit (arils) there is also a soft covering past the husk called mesocarp a softer inner layer that is easy to peel off the arils. The arils of this pom are white with a slight pinkish tone not ruby. (photo below)

The crazy thing was since I didn't know I planted one different I just keep thinking it wasn't ripening or maybe since summer had scorching temps they were just cooked! lol No bugs and birds weren't bothering, only going after the red poms.

Finn~

He likes fruit as well.

Darby - not so much~

Barely in my hand reddish most common and the "surprise" pom!

So what to do with all the arils? I eat them of course, juice , put them in a salad, make scones with pretty red dots, and don't forget to share ~ Here is a salad recipe I love and made a few times but haven't posted yet. Found on the Fox and Briar blog, Autumn Harvest Salad w Pomegranates I hope you check it out - a tasty blog with something for everyones diets and likes!

If I ever find out what variety this delicious pom is I'll let you know! 

The whiter arils are very sweet and the red sweet with a bit of tartness.

From my main bush and most common to everyone of course is the red. I planted a "purple" three years ago and it's been struggling with no show of fruit yet. I have to say I haven't been good about there care of recent it hasn't been a good couple seasons - overwhelming to say the least or until I post. :)

What do you know about pomegranates? Possibly more than I did so here are some interesting facts. 

I read where there are more than 500 pomegranate cultivars in the world! Here is a link if you are interested in Identifying The Different Types of Pomegranate Trees.

You can keep poms in the frig for up to 2 months as in whole fruit, once seeded 5-7 days. Mine have lasted longer. You can also freeze them and they will keep up to a year- even can them! Even can them - wow, that is fantastic news to

Have you ever made Pomegranate Syrup/Molasses? I made it around eight years ago it was delish I wished I had taken time to post it. The link is a very similar to the recipe I used - I'll be visiting this one soon I think there are so many excellent blog out there!

The fruit is low cal, high in fiber that has been said to promote a healthy heart and possibly help to prevent cancer. Packed full of good things healthy and tasty.

Now putting aside all the previous things that we may have known or thought of here's something  even read about in the Bible - here's something I didn't know:

It has been said that there are over or around 613 arils in a pom! that is amazing to me. It has been said it is a symbol of the 613 mitzvoth (commandment or religious duties of the Torah of the Jewish religion.) It also said it has also come to express an individual act of human kindness in keeping with the law. 

Can you just imagine trying to keep them all? God in He infinite wisdom knew we needed a Savior - JESUS ~ He said be perfect as He is perfect ~ As believers we are grafted into the promise of God as sons and daughters. 

I'm for one thankful Jesus rescued me - 

He paid the ransom and set me free.

I'm grafted in and made perfect,

THROUGH HIM~

VLB 11.1.24

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes the sun to rise one the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?  Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:44-48

It's like a perfect fruit let's not over look the Pomegranate ~ Enjoy all that God has for you! Amen

2022 Harvest Pics and nothing 2023, this year was better and God is good!