fun with pomegranates

So, I've been wrestling with a post about adult picky eating and the notion of "should" and I thought I'd take a break and put this out there.Last month, M hung out with a great friend/Auntie type (I am enamored with the Indian tradition of calling all special adults "Auntie" or "Uncle" for M. We don't have much extended family, and it feels special to me...)She came back with a little tupperware container of pomegranate seeds. (Sorry for the stains on the curtains, by the way J, I imagine M had something to do with that!)They are in season now. I hadn't had one for years, but we've been splurging on about one a week. They are so beautiful it's ridiculous. They are like edible rubies. Be ready for major stains though. If you've never tried one, maybe do this with the kids. Older kids might have fun learning about their symbolism in art and religions around the world (I remember it showing up a lot in my renaissance art classes, fertility I think, harvest etc. Might be fun to look up some paintings...)So, you buy one, wash the outside, then cut a little bit of the top off (I read this on a google search, it worked pretty well.) This first one I did I just cut it in half, but it cut lots of the seeds.) Fill a big bowl or pot with cold water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then, still submerged under water,  pull the peel away, and use your fingers to push the seeds from their little resting areas. The yellow membranes in between will float and can be skimmed off and the seeds will sink. Collect the seeds in an airtight container. Will last for a few days in the fridge.Have one at snack time, where getting the seeds can be part of the fun. If it's new, serve it with some familiar foods so there is no pressure to eat it. Maybe graham crackers with cheese, pomegranate and apple, just add it to an already balanced snack.Remember it's pleasant, fun, no pressure and see what happens! Have you ever tried it? Try it with them if your child is cautious and maybe describe the crunch etc. If you aren't sure you will like it, have a napkin handy (for kids too) so they know they can always spit out something they don't want to swallow. I've gotten a kick out of the few times M and I have tried a new food together. (Bubble tea was NOT a hit, but that's another post!)Pomegranate seeds are sweet and tart and crunchy, and full of other good stuff.  M loves them, I do to, but D doesn't like eating the seeds inside so he spits that part out. I even have put some in little tupperware in M's lunches.What do you think? Have you tried them? Have you tried other new foods recently?