Direction :

1. Heat a large pot over high heat. Add the oil and the onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the saffron. Stir, lower the heat, and cover the pot. Check and stir after a few minutes, letting water from the lid drip back into the pot to keep things steamy. Lower the heat if there is any browning going on, re-cover, and cook like this, stirring occasionally, until very tender, about 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, toast the almonds in a large skillet over medium heat, watching the entire time, until golden brown, about 7 to 10 minutes. (Reserve the skillet; if you make the dukkah, you’ll use it again to toast another 1/2 cup of almonds.)
3. Add the carrots, toasted almonds, another 1/2 teaspoon salt and enough water to cover the carrots by about an inch. You can always thin the soup later if it’s too thick, so add just enough water to allow the carrots to bob around a bit.
4. Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower to an easy simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until the carrots are very tender, about 30 minutes—you should be able spoon crush a carrot chunk against the side of the pot.
5. Let the soup cool briefly, stir in the vinegar, then purée in batches either in a blender or food processor. Alternatively, use an immersion blender and purée until smooth.
6. Taste and adjust the soup for salt and acidity. Adjust the texture with water—it should be pleasantly thick, but with flow. A spoon should leave no enduring sign of its passing, and remember that the soup will thicken as it cools.
7. To make the dukkah: Toast the almonds in the reserved large skillet over medium heat, watching the entire time, until golden brown, about 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool. Add the coriander and cumin seeds to the skillet and toast until golden and fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Transfer to a plate to cool. Add the sesame seeds to the same skillet and toast until they are lightly browned and starting to pop, about 1 minute. Transfer to a medium bowl.
8. Crush the coriander and cumin seeds with a mortar and pestle until nearly powdered. Add the almonds and crush to medium fine—depending on the size of your mortar, you may need to do this in batches. Transfer the spices and almonds to the bowl with the sesame seeds. Add the sumac, if using, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Add the sea salt. Taste, add more seas by the 1/4 teaspoon till it tastes good to you.