Have you ever seen fresh almonds?
Last week I saw something new in the produce section at one of our local grocery stores.
Fresh green almonds! These are not raw almonds, which I have used in recipes either in whole or pureed nut butter form.
Naturally, I was very curious to try these fresh almonds. But, hadn’t a clue how they tasted or how to even eat them.
Another woman was picking some out (they were bulk form), so I asked her about them. She said she hadn’t ever tried them, but thought her kids would like them.
I thought the same! So, I picked up a couple of handfuls. I didn’t want to buy too many, as I wasn’t sure how they’d taste and whether the kids would like them – or me for that matter.
image credit: specialtyproduce.com
And, how did those fresh almonds taste?
Have a watch!
Then, tell me, have you ever seen or tried fresh almonds? If so, how do you enjoy them?
Jocelyn says
Hi Dreena. I’m originally from Lebanon and we used to eat these all the time. We dip them in a little salt and eat them. We love them. I can find them here in the U.S as alll in middle eastern stores for a short period of time.
Susan says
I have never seen these!
Debbie says
Thanks for sharing this with us. I’ve never seen unripe almonds.
Ollie is absolutely adorable. What a doll!
yannis says
In Greece, Asia Minor coast, Lebanon as well as in Iran people consume pickled green almonds. They come with the same name which is “tsagalo/e” and means small in Farsi language. In Iran, people use the word “tsagale” only when referring to the small unripened almonds. So, people all over the Eastern Mediterranean basin adopted the word and use it even nowadays. In the Greek island where i live many people collect those green almonds fallen from the trees because of the winds and pickle them in half seawater half white vinegar; essential for a rural household economy
Dreena says
Thanks for sharing that information, Yannis. I’ve had a couple of people mention pickling them, and that makes sense to me based on the flavor and texture. Having wisdom from others like yourself is wonderful!
JoAnn says
I live in Northern California where we grow almonds and have even lived in an almond orchard. I have never seen unripe almonds for sale like that and have never heard of them being eaten. Thankk you for trying them for us! I can’t imagine them tasting very good.