Caramelised Marcona Almonds

About

Marcona Almonds are sometimes referred to as luxury almonds and almost all of the production is from Spain. They are sweeter, fatter and rounder than the typical California variety. In Spain, they are usually blanched and then quickly sautéed in fresh extra virgin olive oil. When toasty brown, they are tossed with sea salt and served as a delicious snack.

With their distinctive shape, it is easy to differentiate between the marcona almond and the pointier California almond. With a higher content of natural and beneficial oils, the marcona almond is the ingredient of choice for the best turrones and other confections that are so popular during the holidays in Spain. Even the trees are different, requiring more time and more specialized growing conditions. These almonds are grown near Reus in Tarragona.