Kwareżimal - Traditional Maltese Lenten Almond Biscuits

Ingredients

• 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds
• 100g (½ cup) sugar 100g (½ cup) sugar
• 100g (⅓ cup) honey 100g (⅓ cup) honey
• 100g (¾ cup) all-purpose flour 100g (¾ cup) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• Zest of 1 orange Zest of 1 orange
• 2 tbsp water 2 tbsp water
• Icing sugar, for dusting Icing sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 7g, 0.6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 8g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.01g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground almonds, sugar, flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and orange zest.
2. 2.
   In a small saucepan, heat the honey and water over low heat until the honey has melted. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
3. 3.
   Pour the honey mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. If the dough feels too dry, add a little more water, one tablespoon at a time.
4. 4.
   Shape the dough into small rounds or elongated shapes and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. 5.
   Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 12-15 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown.
6. 6.
   Remove from the oven and let the biscuits cool completely on a wire rack.
7. 7.
   Once cooled, dust the biscuits with icing sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
8. 8.
   Serve and enjoy these delightful Kwareżimal biscuits!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almonds — Make sure to use ground almonds for this recipe. If you can't find ground almonds, you can grind whole almonds in a food processor until they reach a fine texture.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, you can add a handful of raisins or chopped dried fruits to the dough.
• If you prefer a stronger citrus flavor, you can add a few drops of orange extract to the dough.
• These biscuits can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Serving advice

Serve these Kwareżimal biscuits with a hot cup of tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat. They are also perfect for sharing with friends and family during the Lenten season.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Kwareżimal biscuits on a serving platter and dust them generously with icing sugar. You can also garnish the platter with a few fresh orange slices for an extra touch of elegance.