Keeping Almonds

[Florence Fennel]

I've blanched my own almonds, but discovered that the last lot I did a few weeks ago have gone mouldy.they were in an airtight container. If I grind them will they still mould?

[Nicos]

Sorry, I have no idea.
However, we grow our own hazelnuts and once shelled we dry roast them in a frying pan.
Seems to bring out the flavour and dry them out.

(We have also stored them in brandy after dry roasting!)

Can you do this with almonds?
Might be worth checking?

[roitelet]

If you blanch your own almonds you should only do enough to use straight away. The ones that you buy already blanched have gone through some sort of drying process after the skins have been removed which is why they will not go mouldy. Yes they will still go mouldy if you grind them.

[Snoop Puss]

^ Seconded (I'm afraid).

[Florence Fennel]

Too late was the cry! Lots of almond cake this week then Thanks all

[Nicos]

Couldn't you grind and then freeze them????

[veggiechicken]

How about freezing them until you're ready to use them?

Snap, Nicos

[Florence Fennel]

I've made an almond and raspberry tray bake. The other take away container full I'll probably freeze in 50g bags. I'm buying it after that, it's too much hassle if it doesn't keep!

[DannyK]

On Google they say dry @ 65C 12/24 hrs.

Marzipan, as long as it's in open air and kept dry will store for ages, and will go hard, not that it lasts that long here!

[Snoop Puss]

How do you buy your almonds, FF?

[bikermike]

I had some seed that went mouldy in a sealed box. Would you be better keeping them in a brown paper bag out of sunlight and away from pests?

[Florence Fennel]

How do you buy your almonds, FF?

Sorry Snoop, missed this! My MIL buys me small packets from her trips to the market in town. I don't eat them, but despite telling her that, she still gets them for me so I humour her - she's 89!

[Florence Fennel]

You've prompted me to check on the last batch I did a month ago. They're still ok in a take-away sealed container in a cupboard!

[Snoop Puss]

One way to use them up as a snack is to heat a teaspoon or two of olive oil in a small frying pan then fry them for a few minutes. Shake them about a bit to stop them burning. As soon as they start popping and jumping a bit in the pan (you'll know what I mean as soon as they do it), tip them out onto a piece of kitchen paper to dab off excess oil then season with a little salt. Much nicer for nibbles than plain almonds.

Edited to add: Forgot to say you can do this with almonds still in their skins or blanched.