Sunday, September 27, 2015

Almond Harvest (and a recipe)

One thing about going home (to Italy) 
late Summer/early Fall,
is that you get the best of both seasons.
Late Summer means almond harvest...
early Fall means figs...fresh figs...lots of them.
Among the majority of olive trees, 
our very own Olive Garden, 



we happen to have a dozen of almond trees 
and close to two dozens of fig trees.

fresh figs and local cheese

One day we spent harvesting the almonds.

All done by hand,
because 

that's how we roll.

Nets on the ground,


long sticks to literally beat the almonds down,
and it doesn't hurt to have an adventurous spirit to climb trees.
(that would be me...
every.single.time.)

After the almonds are gathered,
we sit under a pine tree and get the softer outer shell off.



We then use hammers and rocks to get the almonds out of the hard shell.


Again, we are talking about hours of labor of love.

But it's fun.
It's a family thing.
Young and old,
we all get together and work and talk and laugh and eat the cracked almonds.

It's a win win.

So we get to bring some of this deliciousness back with us.

Everything at the farm is grown without any use of chemicals nor pesticides.
We still harvested by hand.
Just like our ancestors did.
Modern technology might make life easier,
but not better.

There is pride in knowing we can accomplish things with hard work.
Labor of love at it's finest.

For the children, it teaches them that hard work does not kill you, 
and for the older ones (myself included),
it teaches us the importance of family time.

Those are things that money can't buy.

And here is a super easy and delicious recipe I posted last year.
Chocolate Covered Almonds (here)

This is a typical dessert from Southern Italy.

I make it for parties around the holidays,
and this is always the first thing to go.

Can't beat roasted almonds and dark chocolate.

Stay Frugal,
Daniela

7 comments:

Linda said...

Be still, my heart!!!! I cannot even IMAGINE how wonderful this must have been for you!!! LOVED the photos and I thank you for sharing things I will never see if not for you!

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Daniela,
What a family bonding this is! Precious memories for your children especially and what a joy.
Harvesting something that is yummy + healthy even adds to the joy.
Had not read your recipe previously but now I went there, left a comment and saved the page...
That will be so yummy for making!
Sending you hugs and blessings.
Mariette

Junkchiccottage said...

Dani,
Love this. How sweet to do this all together as a family. Fun and healthy.
Kris

Kelly said...

What a wonderful treat! I'm sure your kids really enjoyed helping out with the almonds. I bet they appreciate the hard work that goes into getting their food now. It's always fun to see pics from where you grew up.

Carla from The River said...

Hi,
I am so happy you shared this. You are so right about hard work and family time and knowing where your food comes from. :-)
Great post and thank you for the recipe.
Carla

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

This will be such a precious memory for your children later... Plus tasty almonds to eat!

Unknown said...

Oh the memories you are creating for your kids Dani are just so priceless..........one of them may end up the next generation to move back " home"
and continue the tradition !!!
( I always wished I had family in Europe to visit )
LOVED these photos - just beautiful !
xxx