click here for a tribute to Maya Angelou, Orizzont today
So many of you ask questions about this island and also about the Mediterranean region. You ask about our produce, you marvel at the scenery and you wonder what this glorous island is all about. Most of you love food and if you are not so keen, you are sometimes tempted by what you see because i want you to experience some of the pleasure that i get out of it.
You ask questions about my articles in the Press as you recognise photos of people you have ‘met’ through my blog. Your emails tell me you would like to know more about what i write here. From a distance you have become involved in local life.
And I have written a brief article about a food issue on a local news portal in English so that you are able to access it with ease. Please read it. I’d love to hear your comments. Do tell me if you have similar issues wherever you may be living and if you are on this island, speak to me about your experiences and your thoughts.
Just click on it, here is the link to get to know more !
And click here, this is how you make the jam!
You will need :
2 1/2 kilos pomegranates and squeeze and strain the juice
Seeds from one pomegranate
3 cups sugar
Juice of a lemon
Method
Chill a small plate for testing the consistency of the jam later on.
Remove the seeds from one pomegranate and juice the rest.
I wear gloves to do this. Cut the pomegranates in half and while squeezing the pomegranate with one hand, press with your fingers inside the pomegranate with the other hand and extract as much juice as possible.
Bring pomegranate juice to a boil. Add the lemon juice and seeds, then the sugar. Stir frequently until the sugar dissolves.
Skim off the pink foam as necessary.
Add the pomegranate seeds and lemon juice and cook for another 10 minutes, then check for consistency by dropping a spoonful of jam on a chilled plate. When you tilt the plate, if does not run, your jam is done. If it is still runny continue cooking and perform the test every 5 minutes.
Fill your sterilized jars with the jam and store it in your refrigerator.
It was interesting to view your photo of the growing pomegrantes. I don’t think I ever saw that before.
Jovina thank you but this is what i would like you to read amd comment about. π
http://www.di-ve.com/news/note-heart-mediterranean-food-labelling-guarantee-quality-local-produce#.U4sJqtgLqIU.facebook
I love pomegranates and bought Baby Lady tree 5 years ago. Sadly, with the peculiar weather we had this year, the tree never bloomed. π So, no garden pomegranates for us this year. I will have to buy them when they are in season at US$ 2.99 @
Oh what a shame Richard, do you ever use them as an ingredient to make something ?
Absolutely. They are wonderful and so pretty, too. I have a post on a pomegranate tart that is divine, http://remcooks.com/2013/10/15/chocolate-pomegranate-tart/ a pork tenderloin with pomegranate sauce, http://remcooks.com/2013/10/14/pork-tenderloin-with-pomegranate-sauce/ chile relleno en nogada and several others. We simply love them.
Will check put your recipes, thanks Rem, nice to have ypu back. When you have a minute do check this out
http://www.di-ve.com/news/note-heart-mediterranean-food-labelling-guarantee-quality-local-produce#.U4sJqtgLqIU.facebook
,
Very good article, Lea. Here in the US a lot of us would like more information on the product labels and about our produce. I try and buy local, and just love in the summer to grow some of my own produce. It’s important to know where our food comes from.
Thank you Michele for taking the time to read the link. Yes I think it is the same everywhere, a lot of work still to be done on the food labelling. Its lovely that you are able to grow your own produce, you never really lnow if veg is organic unless you have grown it yoirself. So appreciate your time Michele !
I am for getting correct information. It is empowerment. But I realize from the article “verifying” might not always be so easy. So, having the means to corroborate is seems key. People in Korea usually trust what’s on the label. But should they always? Also in restaurants they say they are serving such and such meat, how do we know for sure. Unless we carry portable kits. Maybe in the future. It also made me feel that “trust” in a society is a valuable resource just as “labor” and “capital.” Because if a society is always suspicious of one another, much time/money/effort must be spent on verifying everyday things. If there is no public way of doing that, one must do it privately out of one’s pocket. So, I am for the multilateral endeavour.
Thank you so much for reading ! So appreciate … Its all about trust, it is as you say unrealistic to have the means both financial and time to check and recheck everything ! And of course you are right, the same applies in what you are served at restaurants….i suppose this is an age old issue brought to light now as more legislation is introduced….
Sure! I enjoyed reading about it. Same with GMO products I think. I read that in California it is jot mandatory to label as such. I generally feel EU or European food/environment policies tend to be the most desirable out of all in the world. From reading the news… Am I right?
Mmm must follow up about California, interesting. yes EU is well advanced in comparison to most. i feel strongly that the consumer should have a right to make an informed choice …
Good grief, Lea ! – pomegranates are the MOST WORK. I am far too lazy for that.But I greatly look forward to seeing a shot of your finished product ! π
Hehe ! You are not lazy at all,mthink of your big achievement with your book as a start !
How lucky you are to get fresh pomegranates!
Yes we are spoit for choice, we get most things feeah, have a lovely evening !
Seriously, you can pick pomegranates from the tree??? Amazing!!
Of course Elaine, they are very real, with amazing flavor, pesticide free fruit, hope all well with you !
Wow! How wonderful π and to answer your question after reading your article, we do have similar concerns about food and produce in the UK, there’s a lot of programmes and articles along the nature of ‘where does your food come from’ and having things properly labelled. I think it’s a wide issue. Sadly though, not everyone cares where their food comes from π
Elaine thank you for reading the link. Amazing that labelling is not yet regularized within the EU. Comsumers should care more where their food comes from as they have a right to make an informed choice. Appreciate your comment, thanks …
π x
Nice post, love your pomegranate tree! I would love to have a pomegranate tree but we live to far north and it gets really cold here. Love eating pomegranates! π
Check out my recent post, Meatball Sliders!
Michael π
http://michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/2014/06/03/meatball-sliders/
Thank you, yes we are very lucky. I will certainly check out the meatball sliders ! With pleasure ..
Oh how fabulous to have a pomegranate tree! Aside from being so pretty, they are very yummy.
Absolutely, one of my favorite fruits, thank you for visiting !
Weather and soil is the key to size of pomegranates you are picking. Where you live is truly a paradise.
Once again i say so nice to have you back dear Fae !
On Mediterranean, you couldn’t have choose a better topic! π love this post!
Thank you so much, i so appreciate hearing from you !