Almonds: Lesson on watchful patience

Roasted almonds get a candy herbaceous kick from honey and za’atar, a Center Jap spice mix. CNS picture/Nancy Wiechec

From the primary winter bud to the harvest of pockmarked shells in late summer time, almonds take time to mature.

One wants to know the almond’s cycle to understand its look in Scripture, says Marc Turnage, a biblical scholar, writer and journey information.

“God fulfills his phrase, regardless of the circumstances or conditions of life. He’s affected person and calls upon us to stay affected person for his phrase to be achieved,” Turnage writes in his weblog.

Equally, the almond blossoms early and first, but waits till the tip of the rising season to carry forth fruit.

The prophet Jeremiah says he noticed a department of the almond tree when the phrase of the Lord got here to him. The Lord stated to Jeremiah, “You’ve seen effectively, for I’m watching over my phrase to hold it out” (Jer 1:11-12).

In Hebrew Scripture, the passages use an alliterative play on phrases. “Shaqed” is the Hebrew phrase for almond tree, whereas the verb for watching is “shoqed.” The New American Bible, Revised Version, notes that as a result of the almond tree blooms in late winter it’s referred to as “the watcher” for the approaching spring. God is a watcher by observing the achievement of his phrase.

The almond additionally represents divine favor due to the miracle of Aaron’s employees described in Numbers (17:23). “By Aaron’s rod, sprouting, blossoming and bearing almonds in a single night time, God definitively demonstrated to the Israelites that Moses and Aaron had been his chosen, appointed servants,” notes Turnage.

Different indications of the almond’s regard come from Genesis the place they’re talked about alongside pistachios because the “land’s greatest merchandise” (Gn 43:11) and from Exodus when God prescribes the cups of the menorah to be formed like almond blossoms (Ex 25:33-34, 37:20).

Though almond doesn’t seem in New Testomony texts, its white and pink flowers and its form present up in Christian artwork as symbols of the Resurrection, divinity and purity.

We check with the almond as a nut, nevertheless it’s a drupe — a fruit akin to a peach, plum or cherry. The kernel contained in the shell is the half we eat. The shell is roofed by a inexperienced fuzzy outer hull that dries and cracks open earlier than harvest. This shedding course of, which brings forth the potential of recent life, could also be why the almond stands to signify resurrection.

Almonds should not native to America. Like figs, they had been dropped at California by Spanish missionaries. In the present day, California is the highest almond producer, rising about 80% of the world provide.

On this recipe, the almond is the star. A contact of honey and a Center Jap spice mix complement the nut-like kernel with candy, natural and citrus notes. These can be glorious added to a cheese and fruit platter or scattered on a spinach salad.

ZA’ATAR AND HONEY ROASTED ALMONDS

Time: 20 minutes, plus cooling

Components

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons za’atar (see be aware)
1 teaspoon advantageous sea salt
zest from one lemon
2 cups shelled, complete uncooked almonds

Directions

Warmth the oven to 350 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a big bowl, whisk collectively the primary 5 elements after which combine within the almonds till they’re evenly coated. Unfold the combination in a single layer on the ready baking sheet.

Bake 10-Quarter-hour till nuts are aromatic and golden. Give the nuts a stir midway by way of roasting.

Take away pan from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes.

Utilizing two forks, separate almonds which have clumped collectively. Let almonds cool utterly earlier than serving or storing.

Retailer in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as per week.

Be aware: Za’atar could be present in Center Jap markets and on-line. You may make your individual by mixing collectively 1 teaspoon salt with 1 tablespoon every of dried thyme, floor coriander seed, sumac, floor cumin and complete toasted sesame seeds.