Green Almond Salad
Green almonds are in season for just a few weeks — Chef Noor celebrates them with lettuce, parsley and mint, jewels of pomegranate and buttery pecans, all tied together by a tangy dressing of olive oil, pomegranate molasses, dried mint and lemon.
Green almonds show up for just a few weeks in spring — soft-shelled, tart and crunchy — and across the Levant they become refreshing salads like this one. Here they meet lettuce, parsley and fresh mint, pomegranate seeds and pecans, all pulled together by a pomegranate-molasses and lemon dressing that answers the almonds' sourness. It is a light, seasonal plate built on the contrast between crisp and tender.
How to Prepare
Chop the lettuce, parsley and mint and place them in a wide salad bowl.
Slice the green almonds into rounds and add them with the pomegranate seeds and pecans.
Whisk the olive oil with the pomegranate molasses, dried mint, lemon juice and salt.
Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently.
Finish with extra pomegranate and pecans on top and serve fresh.
Pick green almonds that are still firm and fuzzy — once the shell starts hardening, the magic crunch is gone.
Ingredient Swaps
Out of green-almond season, swap in slices of tart green apple or crisp cucumber to keep that crunchy contrast.
Walnuts stand in nicely for the pecans, as do toasted almonds for extra crunch.
If pomegranate molasses isn't available, mix the lemon juice with a little honey to approach the same sweet-tart balance.
Common Questions
What are green almonds?
Young almonds picked in spring with a soft shell and a tart, crunchy bite; here they are cut into thin rounds.
When should the dressing go on?
Whisk the olive oil with pomegranate molasses, dried mint and lemon juice, then pour it over just before serving so the salad stays crisp.
Can it be made ahead?
Prep the components and the dressing separately and combine them at serving time so the lettuce doesn't wilt.
What does the pomegranate molasses do?
It gives the dressing a balanced sweet-tartness that lifts the almonds and pomegranate.
What is this salad served with?
A refreshing side that suits spring tables, grills and main dishes.
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