ザクロちゃんと私の関係
It is the pomegranate season in Morocco. The sight of giant pomegranates sold at the roadside, or fresh pomegranate juice squeezed at the market, definitely adds a more “exotic” feeling in Morocco. That red color (inside out), to me, gives me a hint of Christmas as well.
モロッコは、ザクロ·シーズン。道端で売っている大きな大きなザクロちゃん達や、市場などで新鮮なザクロジュースを絞っている様子など、あの赤い色がほんのりクリスマスを思わせてくれたりもします。
Pomegranate and me. I have to say, the relationship is a bit complicated, and it is perhaps influenced by a story my grandmother told me. This is how it goes; a long time ago, there was a female deity named Kishimojin. She was originally a rather fearsome existence, who would eat human children. To stop her from doing so, Buddha gave her a pomegranate, saying, “eat this instead, as pomegranate tastes just like human flesh.” After eating a pomegranate, Kishimojin had a change of heart, and has since come to exist as a deity to protect pregnant women and children…
私にとってざくろは、おばあちゃんから教えてもらったお話の影響のためか、なんとも＜ミステリアス＞かつ＜ちょっと怖い＞果実でした。それは、お釈迦さまと鬼子母神という女性の神様との逸話。『鬼子母神は、もともとなかなか恐ろしい存在で、人間の子供達を食べていたそうです。お釈迦様はそれを止めるために、鬼子母神に「代わりにザクロを食べなさい」と与えたという。なぜなら、ザクロの味は人間の肉の味に似ているから、、、？心を改めた鬼子母神は、それ以来、妊婦や子供達を守る神様として存在するようになった。』
Well. Pomegranate = human flesh idea has stayed in my head for many years. I guess I had been slightly hesitant to eat this fruit. Another thing that complicated my relationship with pomegranates was this painting. One of my favorite artists, Sandoro Botticelli, created this masterpiece called “Madonna of the Pomegranate” – yes, you see the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus holding the fruit. It was a breathtaking painting at Uffizi Gallery.
このような話を聞いていたため、ザクロに関してはちょっと一歩下がった気持ちでいた私。それと、イタリア、ウフィツィ美術館でみた絵画。大好きなボッティチェリの一作品ですが、この『ザクロの聖母』では、聖母マリアとまだベイビーなイエス·キリストが、ザクロの実を持っています。
The porcelain-like skin tones of people and fairy-tale-like light are very typical of Botticelli. However, the pomegranate was painted vivid red, and it appeared as if each individual seed liked to spring forth as if they were alive! When standing in front of the paining, I couldn’t take my eyes off the juiciness of the fruit, as well as its powerful movement; it reminded me of the pumping human heart, and I could almost heat that sound. According to the researchers, this pomegranate represents both motherhood of the Virgin, and the upcoming suffering of the baby Jesus. Hmm…
ボッティチェリらしい、陶器のような肌色や、おとぎ話のような光加減。その中に出現したザクロの鮮明な赤色とまるで生きているように飛び出してくる果実ひとつひとつの強さ。この絵の中で意味するザクロは、心臓でもあり、母性でもあり、あるいは、将来キリストが経験する受難でもあり、、、ザクロちゃん、やっぱりミステリアス。
Anyway, pomegranate has been my “mysterious” fruit, therefore, I kind of avoided it for a long time. But then… I see them a lot. Well, maybe it’s time to stop being scared? Let’s bring one home, and get it over with! I thought I could remove the seeds by cutting the fruit in half, and tapping it from outside, like what Martha Stewart would do with a smile – but, oh no, it took a bit more effort. I couldn’t become Martha. I was more like a mouse trying to steal food out of the food waste. But, it was worth it , the sweetness and tartness of the seeds were just right 🙂
さてさて、「こんなに出回っているんだから、怖がってる場合じゃない！買ってみよう～」と思いまして、はい、ひとつお買い上げ！たっくさんの赤い種が詰まっておりましたが、全てとるのにけっこうな時間がかかりました（半分に切って、トントンって叩くと取れると思っていましたが、そうでもなかった）。カリスマシェフ、マーサ・スチュワートさんのようには行かなかったです。
While they were delicious eaten as they were, I decided to mix them with strawberry mousse for a next-level dessert. 甘味と酸味がちょうどよく、そのまま食べても美味しかったのですが、いちごムースとあえた＜おしゃれデザート＞にしてみました。
According to a study, pomegranate is said to have great effects on the human body, such as lowering blood pressure and keeping skin moisturized. Now that my “relationship” with pomegranates is becoming better, I think I will try to get used to this gorgeous fruit more.
血圧をさげたり、お肌の潤いを保ったり、、、と良い効能もあると言われているザクロちゃん。モロッコはもちろん、中東ではよく使われる食材でもあり、もう怖がるのはやめようと思いました。
Tomo
The cats of the day :: Les chats du jour :: 今日の猫しゃん達
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