A Thanksgiving recipe: Almonds are a lesson in patience

(Photo by Nancy Wiechec/Special to the Herald) 
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While Thanksgiving is often celebrated as a season of gratitude, it might also be considered a season of patience — as friends and family arrive in droves, testing recipes and resolve alike. In that way, it’s a bit like an almond: from its first winter bud to its late-summer harvest, it takes time to mature.  
  
One needs to understand the almond’s cycle to appreciate its appearance in Scripture, says Marc Turnage, a biblical scholar, author and travel guide. “God fulfills His word in spite of the circumstances or situations of life. He is patient and calls upon us to remain patient for His word to be accomplished,” Turnage said.  
  
Similarly, the almond blossoms early and first, yet waits until the end of the growing season to bring forth fruit.  
  
The prophet Jeremiah says he saw a branch of the almond tree when the word of the Lord came to him. The Lord said to Jeremiah, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to carry it out” (Jer 1:11-12).  
  
In Hebrew Scripture, the passages use an alliterative play on words. “Shaqed” is the Hebrew word for almond tree, while the verb for watching is “shoqed.” The New American Bible, Revised Edition, notes that because the almond tree blooms in late winter, it is called “the watcher” for the coming spring. God is a watcher by observing the fulfillment of His word.  
  
The almond also represents divine favor because of the miracle of Aaron’s staff described in Numbers (17:23). “By Aaron’s rod, sprouting, blossoming and bearing almonds in one night, God definitively demonstrated to the Israelites that Moses and Aaron were His chosen, appointed servants,” Turnage notes.  
  
Other indications of the almond’s regard come from Genesis where they are mentioned alongside pistachios as the “land’s best products” (Gen 43:11) and from Exodus when God prescribes the cups of the menorah to be shaped like almond blossoms (Ex 25:33-34, 37:20). Although almond doesn’t appear in New Testament texts, its white and pink flowers and its shape show up in Christian art as symbols of the resurrection, divinity and purity.  
  
We refer to the almond as a nut, but it’s a drupe — a fruit akin to a peach, plum or cherry. The kernel inside the shell is the part we eat. The shell is covered by a green fuzzy outer hull that dries and cracks open before harvest. This shedding process, which brings forth the potential of new life, may be why the almond stands to represent resurrection.  
  
Almonds are not native to America. Like figs, they were brought to California by Spanish missionaries. Today, California is the top almond producer, growing about 80% of the world’s supply.   
  
In this easy 20-minute (plus cooling time) recipe, the almond is the star. A touch of honey and a Middle Eastern spice blend called za’atar complement the nut-like kernel with sweet, herbal and citrus notes.   
  
Serve these as a homemade addition to any cheese and fruit platter, sprinkle them over a spinach salad, or simply enjoy them as a snack while catching up with relatives — even the ones who might drive us, well, nuts.   
  

Za’atar & Honey Roasted Almonds

Time: 20 minutes plus cooling 
 

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons za’atar (see note)
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• zest from one lemon
• 2 cups shelled, whole raw almonds

Method

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
   
   
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the first five ingredients and then mix in the almonds until they are evenly coated. Spread the mixture in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
   
   
3. Bake 10 to 15 minutes until nuts are fragrant and golden. Give the nuts a stir halfway through roasting.
   
   
4. Remove pan from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.
   
   
5. Using two forks, separate almonds that are stuck together. Let almonds cool completely before serving or storing.
   
   
6. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Note: Za’atar spices can be found in Middle Eastern markets, most major grocery stores and online. You can make your own by mixing together 1 teaspoon salt with 1 tablespoon each of dried thyme, ground coriander seed, sumac, ground cumin and whole toasted sesame seeds.