Due to the feedback we received on our recipe posts, we are launching Recipe Monday! Every Monday we will be posting a new recipe from Malta, to inspire you for the upcoming week. This week we focus on l-Għadam tal-Mejtin, a traditional Maltese sweet eaten during the first few days of November, during which we commemorate the dead on All Souls Day.
Għadam tal-mejtin
Ingredients yield around 18-20 almond bones
For the pastry:
800g plain flour, sifted
300g sugar
125g shortening
125g margarine
3 eggs
Juice of half a lemon
Vanilla essence
Dash of milk
For the filling paste:
400 grams sugar
400 grams pure ground almond
80ml water
You will also need some icing sugar and optional crushed almonds for decoration.
1. Make the pastry by rubbing in the shortening, butter and flour until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Mix the sugar with the eggs and add the mixture above.
2. Add the lemon and the vanilla essence and knead it. Add the milk and knead it to an elastic dough.
3. For the filling put the sugar and the water on a low flame and when sugar melts add the almonds. Blend the mixture very well, and let it cool.
4. Roll out the pastry and cut out your shapes. Make two of each figure as they will be sandwiched with almond paste.
5. Lay the first shape on a greased and floured baking tray, spread with almond paste, leaving a small margin. Lay the second shape over the top and press the edges together. Wet the edges with a brush dipped in milk to ensure adhesion.
6. Bake at 180’C/350’F/gas 4, for about 20 minutes, until pale golden. Cool on the tray before decorating.
7. When the bones are cold, coat with light royal icing. You can sprinkle the top with crushed almonds if you wish. Let it dry for few minutes and they are ready to enjoy!
