Fave dei Morti

The delicious Fave dei Morti are prepared in the Marche region around the end of October and beginning of November.

The origin of this recipe goes back to pre-Christian time when fava beans were used as ritual offering to the dead and the gods of the nether world.

In an airtight jar they keep for days and can be the perfect Halloween cookies.

Ingredients:

200 gr. of peeled almonds

250 gr. of sugar

200 gr. of flour

100 gr. of butter

2 eggs

lemon zest

a pinch of salt

Preparation

Dip the almonds in boiling water for few minutes to easily rid them of the brown inner skin, then lightly toast them in the oven. Crush the almonds with a food processor.

With a wooden spoon mix the almonds and the sugar then add the softened butter, the eggs and the remaining ingredients.

Knead the dough until is soft and elastic.

Divide in four pieces and with each make a kind of string as thick as a finger.

Cut in small pieces and give them the shape of a big fava bean.

Grease and sprinkle with flour a baking dish. Put the cookies on it and bake for half an hour at 150 centigrade. Let the cookies cool before removing them from the dish.

Enjoy with a sweet wine !