Almonds: The Greek Nut - The American Almond Products Company has created two recipes that bring home a taste of Greece during the games this summer

Greeks are the largest consumers of nuts in the world. With the Olympic Games in Athens a few weeks away, why not become an armchair traveler and sample a taste of Greece at home this summer? American Almond Products Company has created two recipes to bring the Games and the flavor of Greece home this summer.

(PRWEB) July 22, 2004 -- According to the International Tree Nut Council, Greece has the highest per capita consumption of nuts in the world with almonds representing nearly 24% of the nuts consumed. Greeks were the first to cultivate almond trees over 3,000 years ago spreading their cultivation throughout the Mediterranean. Romans called almonds the Greek nut; their Latin name, amygdala, is Greek for almond.

A cuisine that emphasizes healthiness in every bite, earthy Greek cooking includes almonds in every course. (Maybe this accounts for Greek peoples' renowned longevity; exciting scientific research has proven that eating a daily serving of almonds may reduce the risk of heart disease.) It starts right on the tree where Greeks will pick fresh green almonds to eat as a snack. Any assortment of mezes, little plates served before a meal like tapas or antipasto, will include toasted almonds or savory vegetable spreads enriched with almonds. Greek cooking packs freshness and flavor in every course. Skordalia, a creamy almond and garlic sauce, is a pungent accompaniment to fresh vegetables, fried fish and beet salad among other dishes. And not to be overlooked are delectable Greek pastries. Almonds find their way into all manner of Greek sweets from flaky baklava and amigdalopitas, pies filled with ground almonds to amigdolata, sugared almond candies.

For those far from a taverna or a zacharoplastia (sweets shop), American Almond has created two winning recipes. Serve the Char Roasted Eggplant and Almond Spread as an appetizer with pita flatbread along with other game-time snacks. Sweet and Crunchy Almond Kataifi Pastries is a traditional Greek pastry sweetly redolent of nuts and spices. Weve made it easy enough for the novice to prepare. Whether watching the Olympic games from your living room or simply looking a taste of Greece, try these two special recipes. Let the games begin!
[Recipes and images are available in electronic format.]

About The Company
Founded in 1924, American Almond Products Company is Americas premier producer of almond paste, marzipan and other nut products for the baking and confectionery industries. Relying on small batches to insure consistent quality, American Almond is the secret ingredient of bakers and confectioners nationwide. As the craft of home baking and the interest in heirloom recipes grows with dedicated home bakers, its products are perfectly suited for retail distribution. For the first time, the companys products – Traditional Almond Paste and Marzipan, Roasted Almond Butter, Roasted Hazelnut Praline, Natural Pistachio Nut Paste, Bakers Style Prune Lekvar and Poppy Seed Filling, NY Blackout Schmear and Bakers Style Almond Schmear - are available to the retail trade. The company made its debut at the summer 2004 Fancy Foods Show in New York City.

###