Imbolc, the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, is celebrated on August 1st in Australia. Imbolc celebrates the return of Persephone as she begins her ascent from the Underworld, slowly transforming from our Queen of the Dead into our Goddess of Spring.
To celebrate Persephone’s journey, I bought a bottle of pomegranate vinegar. I was really excited, as I have tried lots of different vinegars but never a pomegranate one. I couldn’t wait to start experimenting with this new ingredient. My mind was reeling with ideas for an Imbolc recipe and I became fixated on using the vinegar in a cocktail. After much thought, I experimented with a gin and elderberry cocktail, which was interesting, but not something I would try again. As Imbolc neared, I almost panicked as I couldn’t think of what to make.
Today is the eve of Imbolc and the night of a Dark Moon. The sun is streaming through my windows and the birds are singing outside. I stare at the bottle of pomegranate vinegar, hoping for inspiration. Finally I am gifted with a memory of being served a platter with bread and three dunking bowls containing extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and sea salt. I remember dipping pieces of bread into the oil, vinegar and finally the salt. I also remember how much I loved it. At last I have a recipe idea for Imbolc!
Rather than serve three individual bowls for bread dunking, I decided to make a dressing. I began by mixing equal parts of oil and vinegar, but I couldn’t taste the pomegranate, so I went with a 1 part oil to 2 parts vinegar ratio. I liked it, as it was fruity and almost unbearably tart. Happy with my decision, I sprinkled salt on top and grabbed a slice of sourdough bread. I sat outside dunking my bread into a flavoursome dressing while birds flitted through my bamboo heralding the coming of spring and the return of Persephone.
The fun thing about this dressing is that you can choose what ratios suit you. You can also use it as a salad dressing or as a marinade.
Happy Imbolc!
I have never heard of pomegranate vinegar. Very interesting! I bet it is healthy too. I love sourdough bread with butter, but this sounds delicious too. And you have incorporated bread into your Imbolc!
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I didn’t realise I had connected with Lammas via the bread! That’s awesome. 🙂
I love fresh sourdough with lashings of butter – especially the crust!
I often have a glass of water with a splash of apple cider vinegar just before lunch or dinner. It’s supposed to be really good for your digestion. Now I’m alternating with the pomegranate vinegar. I might try the two vinegars together and see what they taste like.
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Yes, I have heard that about apple cider vinegar. It has many health benefits, and pomegranate probably has more!
I think it is interesting how the polar opposites in the Wheel of the Year complement each other. Lammas- Imbolc, Summer- Winter Solstice, etc. I always think of it like astrology, where polar opposite signs complement each other. So perhaps the bread and lamb are not so different… 🙂
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I also love how Walpurgis Night and Beltane fall on the same night in the northern hemisphere. And now that Halloween has become popular in Australia, I get to celebrate Beltane surrounded by Halloween images! That’s my kind of polar opposition entwinement. 🙂
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Exactly! I was so thrilled to learn and discover more about Walpurgis Night, as it falls in our spring here. A witches’ night in warmer climates! I love how it is all connected 🙂
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I love vinegar and pomegranate I can imagine the pomegranate vinegar would be lovely.
Will look for one today as I would love to try it.
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I got mine from a health food shop. They have some really interesting products. Roasted carob powder is next on my list.
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