Let me start by explaining that Malta's population is mainly Catholic. We tend to follow traditions that belong to our Catholic faith - eg. we do not eat meat during Lent on Fridays. We try to make some sort of sacrifice during Lent (eg - kids, if possible, don't eat sweets etc). I am telling you this because this recipe is something that we eat during Lent instead of having a slice of cake etc... You will see why in a bit:

The recipe makes what we call Kwarezimal - These are like biscuits (pronounced, by the way, quareziymaal - hope that helps)

Now for the ingredients:

200 grams blanched almonds

200 grams, plain flour, sifted

250 grams, caster sugar

1 small teaspoon cinnamon

orange flower water

grated rind of 1 orange, 1 lemon and 1 tangerine

Honey and - either pistacchios or almonds

Now for the recipe:

1. Lightly toast and roast the almonds
2. Grind coarsely.
3. Mix with the flour, sugar, cinnamon, rinds, and a little orange flower water.
4. Add just enough water to make a stiff dough.
5. Knead lightly until the ingredients are well mixed together and shape into ovals. (See picture)
6. Place on greased/floured baking tray and bake at 190 C/375F/Gas 5 for about 20 minutes.
7. Once that is done, while these are still hot, pour some honey over them, and sprinkle some almonds or pistacchios.
8. Let them cool and then enjoy!!!:)

As you can see this recipe does not contain eggs or fat(butter). That is why we have it for Lent. The word kwarezimal refers to quaresima, literally the quadragesima - which means the forty days of Lent.

Hope you enjoy eating this Lent sweet:)

Let me know what you think.

Till next time,

To your success,

Mimi