Playing with Pomegranates
This week’s Torah portion, Pakudei, continues to discuss the decorations in the tabernacle, and I was struck by this description:
"On the hem of the robe [for the ephod] they made pomegranates of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, twisted. They also made bells of pure gold, and attached the bells between the pomegranates, all around the hem of the robe, between the pomegranates: a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, all around the hem” (Ex. 39:24-26).
Many aspects of the garments described in this portion are symbolic - there are, for example, twelve differently colored stones on the breastplate, corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel (Ex. 39:15) - and the pomegranates are no exception. In Jewish tradition, they have come to represent the commandments, as they reportedly have 613 seeds, just as there are 613 commandments within the Torah. But pomegranates show up in all kinds of other ways throughout our texts and tradition: on ancient Jewish coins; as one of the seven species of Israel (Deut. 8:8), and as an aphrodisiac and a symbol of love and fertility, referenced in both the Talmud and the Song of Songs. Once you start looking, they are extremely common as a symbol in contemporary Jewish life as well. Walk around a Judaica store, and you will undoubtedly see pomegranates adorning candles sticks, washing cups, and mezuzot, among other items.
This week, consider exploring a physical pomegranate together with your kids. They are a unique looking fruit, and one your children may not have been exposed to before. Open it up, and let your child touch, smell, and taste the fruit. If you have an older child, and are up for a challenge, you could even try counting all the seeds inside! (Pro tip: it’s easier to get the seeds out if you submerge the pomegranate in water). Ask your child what they notice about the pomegranate. What is different about it? What do they like about it? How does it taste? Does it remind them of any other foods they have tried?
In addition to exploring the physical pomegranate itself, consider sharing with your children some images of pomegranates on Judaica (perhaps you even have some in your home!), or on ancient Jewish coins like these. Isn’t it cool that this fruit has been important in our tradition for such a long time, and in so many ways? With older children, you might talk more expansively about the idea of symbols. Maybe a sports team they like is represented by a mascot, or they know that a flag can represent a country. The pomegranate represents a lot of things too!
And don’t worry, once you’re done exploring those pomegranates, we’ll put them to good use in the recipe for this week
Pomegranate Chicken
Adapted from a recipe by Yotam Ottolenghi via The Guardian
Serves 4
Unfortunately, my family was hit hard by a stomach bug this week, and so baking a beautiful meal was not in the cards. Sometimes, you’re just in survival mode, and that’s where we are this week. But I did not want to let that stop me from sharing one of my favorite pomegranate recipes with you! I may not have a great picture to share at the moment, but I have made this several times, and it’s always a crowd pleaser. And my children did at least have fun tasting the pomegranate seeds.
I have simplified the original Ottolenghi recipe a bit, which has you fry several of the ingredients on the stovetop before baking, since I tend to prioritize recipes that are as simple as possible when cooking for my family. I’m sure it’s delicious either way, but we’ve never found anything missing by skipping that step. The flavor is still complex yet accessible, and notably different from the other chicken recipes on rotation in my household.
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
8 chicken drumsticks
Flaky sea salt
4 shallots, peeled and trimmed
8 cloves of garlic, peeled
2 tbsp pomegranate molasses (I use this)
3 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp maple syrup
4cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated OR 1-2 frozen cubes minced ginger (like this), defrosted.
10g oregano sprigs, plus 1 tsp finely chopped leaves, to serve
Seeds from ½ small pomegranate
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 400 F.
Combine with the molasses, garlic, soy sauce, maple syrup, ginger, oregano sprigs and 50ml water in a bowl.
Lay your drumsticks in a large casserole dish or baking tray. Add the shallots and garlic in between the chicken pieces and then and pour the sauce over them. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
Roast for 20 minutes, then remove the foil, stir, and roast for another 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
Remove from the oven, stir in the chopped oregano leaves and pomegranate seeds, and serve.