What can I do with fresh almonds?

[bazzaboy]

Rather dim question I realise, but a fairly young almond tree (was probably 2 years old when I got it and I've had it two years) enjoyed our early summer in April this year, had spectacular blossom (no peach curl) and is now laden with almonds (see pic detail, in total there's about 200...).



They are currently about the size of a bantam egg, bit smaller than a golf ball. But what do I do with them? When do I pick them? Will the local squirrels nick 'em?

I did a search on the site and one reference says because almonds are related to peaches you can "eat the flesh"..... What the whole thing? I can eat the whole thing and won't die?
I can feed to friends at a BBQ (ha! some hope!) soaked in some fancy liquor and they won't all keel over clutching their throats or stomachs?

Or do I have to dry them and grind between two stones to make marzipan for Christmas (in which case I might welcome the intervention of the squirrels...).

This is not a problem I ever thought I'd have..... Any suggestions welcome!

[bazzaboy]

So do I get a prize for asking a question no-one can answer (or thrown off the site?) I did a Google search and they seem to be eaten "green" in some middle-eastern dishes but not much detail (and one horrendous allergy story!) I can't be the only person on GYO with an almond tree, but OK let's simplify it, the almond tree produces almonds (bit of advanced guru gardening there....) --- so what do you do with them? bb.

[FB.]

When I was a child, not far from my house, there were a number of almond trees planted on open grassy areas, in several clusters.
We used to wait until autumn and the almonds would turn black, the skin would split and the nuts - resembling peach stones - would fall on the ground. Rather like conkers fall out of their casings in autumn.
A little shake of the branches encouraged them to fall.
Then it was a case of cracking them open to get to the edible bit inside the woody stone.

[chris]

If I'm not mistaken, you can also eat the flesh. Let me check that for you so you don't poison yourself...

Yup, it was on the tree I was looking to buy: Almond 'Tree Robijn'

This article linked from the site above mentions pretty much the same as FB.. which is pretty bang on as he is the fruit guru of the world!

[bazzaboy]

Many thanks FB and Chris M, interesting stuff (and see also Hilary B's tips for eating under a Season to Taste recipe thread)... As recorded there they are currently as hard as wood but I'm assuming they soften and ripen and if I can catch them at the right time eat like peaches.... I live in hope!

[chris]

What almond tree is it? I'd love one in the garden.

[bazzaboy]

Chris, the label survives... it's a Sweet Almond Prunus Dulcis which I got a few years ago from Ken Muir Ltd (Essex). In looking it up on the Ken Muir Ltd site I discovered firstly that Ken Muir has just died (thus the brief tribute elsewhere) and secondly although it's still listed in "Contents" the company doesn't appear to stock it any more... Maybe worth a phone call? 01255 830 181.

Reading around elsewhere I discover all manner of interesting stuff including, for example, strictly speaking the almond is not a nut but a "drupe" (live and learn!) and that you do definitely want a SWEET Almond insofar as there is also a variant Bitter Almond which has different uses but not recommended for casual eating as the bitter quality is cyanide which can kill you! Nuts with a vengeance!

Hope that's useful. bb