Friday, April 17, 2009

Les Amandes Fraîches - Fresh Almonds


Today I was out & about, hitting the pavement, checking out parts of the 15th arrondissement (district) as a potential location for setting up shop. Along the way I came across a little store, an "Epicerie Libanaise" (Lebanese grocery store). It was an inviting store front that lured me in to see what new items it might have to discover. Many of its products I could not understand because of packaging written in arabic. Then there was a display case of prepared foods that I could understand, with my eyes at least, but it was much too early for lunch.

As I was leaving, however, I noticed a box just sitting there. A small crate actually. I asked the shop owner, "How much are those fresh almonds?" I wasn't sure if they were actually for sale, or just part of the store's inventory. He was really pleased with my question, which surprised me. He started talking about how these were the very first almonds of the season. I asked where they were from. He said "Lebanon", and then he continued talking about how fresh these were. (Having walked into a Lebanese grocery store, I kind of assumed they were from Lebanon....and I was hoping for a more specific answer....!) However, he was so caught up in talking about these almonds that I eventually dropped my intended follow-up question, "but where?"!

He quickly explained that these are at the highest price point they will ever be because, simply, they are at their freshest. They were 8€/kg, in case you're wondering (~$5.50/lb). After this, the almonds are less good because they are less fresh, and the price will go down, he explained.

Then, he asked me, "do you know how to eat these?" I said no. I've already worked with fresh almonds in the past, but I wasn't sure where he was going with this. Then he simply took a bite of one, green skin (or should I say fur), and all! It sounded all crispy- crunchy. My knee-jerk reaction was "pas possible!" (no way, I can't believe it!). It really did take me by surprise. He said, "si, si" (yes, yes). And he added, "What's really good is to eat these with a cold beer. But only when they're this fresh. Otherwise, you have to get the nut out." And with that, he ran away & quickly returned, putting me a handful of whole almonds (peeled) in my palm. "Here, take this. You seem to like almonds!"

There was a girl in the middle of paying for something while all this transpired, and without blinking, she reached into the crate, grabbed one & popped it into her mouth. I was a little shocked by her brashness, but I curiously watched her reaction at the same time. She said with a smile, "a little bitter....but yes, a beer would be great with these". And out the door she went.

It was my turn to try one, at the shop owner's insistance. It was surprisingly fresh tasting. Not as "almondy" as I was expecting. Definitely "wet" & moist & slightly bitter. I still couldn't get over eating that green casing. In fact, it's a strange concept to not only eat the green casing, but also, the shell itself. Today, it's all moist, but this is the same shell that eventually dries out & becomes light golden brown, as I had been accustomed to seeing back in the states.


I bought a small sac full to bring home. I wanted to share this almond taste test with Eric. We tried them, as recommended, with a beer. But not just any beer. It was a Belgian specialty brought from Brussels last week by some dear friends..... It was unanimous. Fresh almonds are a unique treat and they make for a very unique aperitif (before-dinner drink and appetizer). We couldn't eat them every day, but we're still glad to have made this discovery.


:/dma

9 comments:

Karen Kane said...

Diane, what an evocative story. I have made so many great food discoveries in Paris. Once, I asked about leechees at a small epicerie - I had never seen them before. The owner immediately gave me one to taste. The aroma of the fresh, pink fruit hit me first, then the taste. Needless to say, they don't carry them at the farmers' market in Montpelier VT!

girlcookinparis said...

Hi Karen! I also remember the first time I ever saw a leechee, and tasted it, here in a Paris market. Are you still gardening? Maybe you should bring them to the Montpelier market! Thanks for your comment.

Karen Kane said...

Leechees are almost non-existent here - but there is apparently a hardy kiwi that does very well! I'll keep you posted... Bon week-end!

BLG said...

Beautiful blog post!

Just tried these today -- I recommend NOT EATING THE GREEN part.

Anonymous said...

In the Levant, raw almonds are a great appetizer. They take the place of bread and butter on a table when they are in season. The green part IS edible and is especially lovely when the whole fruit is dipped in salt. I know this is a late comment, but I was googling raw almonds because I miss them so much as they remind me of my childhood.

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

I just purchased fresh almonds at Fairway in New York, checked Google before trying them and found your lovely blog. I miss living abroad and getting to know a country by exploring little shops and enjoyed your post. The almonds are delicious! Not at all what I expected.

Looking forward to exploring your blog!

Parisbreakfasts said...

Amazing info!
I've seen these green velvety almonds in the multi-culti open markets in Astoria - I had no idea?
Thanks so much
Carolg