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The Finster Log
Oh! Look At That!
Posted on: 12/04/08, 19:18:21
Organic pomegranates have finally arrived at the market, so I've been processing a bunch of them to freeze. Harley was on his faucet in the kitchen the other day while I was doing this, saw me, and said "Oh! Look at that!" Of course he turned into Mr. Quality Control and had to sample a bunch of the arils. He's so helpful!
His use of the phrase "look at that" in context makes me think that the last time he said it there must have been a bunch of Underpants Gnomes wandering around the bird room, and I just didn't see them.
I've heard that pomegranates will last several months if you wrap the whole fruit individually in a paper towel, then (several) in a plastic bag in the produce drawer of the refrigerator. But since I only have one bird that eats them, I've gotten into the habit of breaking out the arils and freezing them.
In order to avoid cutting through too many of the arils, I score the rind of the fruit carefully — but the rind on the bottom of the fruit is pretty thick, so you can cut deeper. Then, gently rip the fruit into pieces to reveal the arils, and nudge them out. It's easy to squash the arils, and fling them across the room, so it's probably best to do this over a bowl. Once they're all out, fill the bowl with water to rinse off the sticky mess — any bits of rind and white membrane should float to the top, making it easier to save the seeds. Drain in a strainer, roll them around on a towel to dry, and then freeze. The nice thing is you don't have to freeze the arils in a single layer, just dump them all into a freezer container and they're ready to take out, a spoonful at a time, to thaw for Harley's breakfast, lunch and dinner.
His use of the phrase "look at that" in context makes me think that the last time he said it there must have been a bunch of Underpants Gnomes wandering around the bird room, and I just didn't see them.
I've heard that pomegranates will last several months if you wrap the whole fruit individually in a paper towel, then (several) in a plastic bag in the produce drawer of the refrigerator. But since I only have one bird that eats them, I've gotten into the habit of breaking out the arils and freezing them.
In order to avoid cutting through too many of the arils, I score the rind of the fruit carefully — but the rind on the bottom of the fruit is pretty thick, so you can cut deeper. Then, gently rip the fruit into pieces to reveal the arils, and nudge them out. It's easy to squash the arils, and fling them across the room, so it's probably best to do this over a bowl. Once they're all out, fill the bowl with water to rinse off the sticky mess — any bits of rind and white membrane should float to the top, making it easier to save the seeds. Drain in a strainer, roll them around on a towel to dry, and then freeze. The nice thing is you don't have to freeze the arils in a single layer, just dump them all into a freezer container and they're ready to take out, a spoonful at a time, to thaw for Harley's breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Comments
12/09/08, 08:57:52
I was thinking I needed to get to freezing some pomegranates soon, so your post has just help to get me moving in that direction! I do them the same way, freezing a bunch, and then I have them all year as treats, and to put in the mash. I also like doing cranberries, they are a huge favorite with the ekkies, and the quakers don't complain to much, either!
12/11/08, 14:34:19
I'll have to try that with the pomegranates. It's a particular favorite of the caiques, but because of the mess, they don't get them as often as they'd like.
And "look at that!" -- how adorable!
And "look at that!" -- how adorable!
12/12/08, 14:49:32
i know you will always miss your precious little Peanut and no other birdie could ever take his place - but don't you wonder now how you ever lived without Harley? Pippin, my six and a half year old CAG, is so incredibly precious to me - i can't imagine life without him now.
12/12/08, 15:35:39
Harley will often hold the aril in his beak, carefully positioned over the edge of the counter, and gently squish it to drink the juice (part of which falls to the floor). Or, he'll squish it quickly, and the juice sprays everywhere. Still, it's less messy when he gets the arils one at a time, than when I let him chew up a chunk of the whole fruit.
Roxanne, I know what you mean. Although, my life was less dusty before Harley!
Roxanne, I know what you mean. Although, my life was less dusty before Harley!