Tamari Almonds
I like to have a variety of homemade snacks on hand at all times. Not only are they a fraction of the price of store-bought treats, but you also get to be completely in control of what goes into them–no nasty chemical preservatives involved. Tamari almonds are a perfect place to start, as they store well, and making them at home is incredibly easy.
Did you know that almonds aren’t really nuts? No, they’re not legumes, either. They’re seeds. Beautiful almond trees bear drupes, each of which contains a single almond inside a hard shell. True story: once I had the brilliant idea to try tasting the seeds inside a peach pit. They looked and tasted exactly like almonds. True story, and I hope you’ll take my word for it, because peach seeds contain cyanogenetic glycosides, which break down into sugar and cyanide! (Don’t worry; though bitter almonds also contain these, the sweet almonds you eat don’t.)
Anyway, on to the snacks: all you need is a bag of almonds and some tamari (soy sauce is fine, but they won’t be gluten-free if you’re concerned about that sort of thing). I usually add a tablespoon or two of cajun seasoning for added flavor. Soak in the refrigerator for a couple of hours or overnight, depending on a. how strong you want the flavor to be and b. how long you can stand to wait. Drain most of the excess liquid and bake nuts in an oven (or toaster oven) for ~15 minutes at 200 degrees. Watch carefully so they don’t burn, and flip them around at least once. Let cool and eat ‘em by the handful as a snack, or add to salads. They’re also nice sprinkled in with some green beans. Put them in a cool place in an air-tight container and they’ll be good for several months.
What are your favorite shelf-stable snacks to make at home?
Tags: almond
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Wow.. cool info! I never once had an inkling to taste what’s inside a peach pit, but now I do. (I’ll still take your word for it, though
Can’t wait to try these babies out- they sound and look delicious!
Haha, yeah, proceed at your own risk! I’m going to have to put a disclaimer on this site or something.
That’s amazing that they are that easy… especially since they are so $$ in the store!
I know… store-bought snack foods are ridiculous. I love snacks, but I usually make them at home!
Yum! I love to snack on almonds. I’ve had flavored almonds before, tasting them and thinking, I bet I could do this! Thanks for the tips.
Beautiful photo! Sounds easy too! I’ll have to give it a try sometime. Thanks! “-)
Ooooh these look positively addicting! I can see myself eating LOTS of these, what a beautiful deep color they have. Great idea!
Ooo, good idea!
I’m not very good at making savoury snacks but when I make them it’s usually in the forms of dips and pates and hummus to dip raw veggie sticks in or to put on my crackers. Sweet treats- always make some version of the raw fudge babies (or whatever else they are called)
delicious!
hi, love the site! one question: do you use raw or roasted almonds for this snack?
Glad you like it, Keleigh! Use raw (not dry-roasted) almonds, since you’re roasting them at home.
I made these and then on a whim threw in a handful of freshly chopped rosemary at the end, HEAVEN!! I love your recipes, thanks so much for making a vegan website thats hip, yummy and totally non-granola!! xo