Amigthalota (Almond Pears) Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 c. Grnd almonds
• 1/2 c. Icing sugar
• sifted
• 1/4 c. Egg whites (1/4 c = 2 whites
• 1/2 tsp Grated lemon rind
• optional
• 2 dsh Almond essence Whole cloves Additional icing sugar Rose or possibly orange flower water (optional)

Instructions

1. Makes: 30
2. Cooking Time: 20 min
3. Oven temperature: 160 C (325 F)
4. Blend grnd almonds with icing sugar measured after sifting.
5. Add in lightly beaten egg whites with lemon rind if used and almond essence.
6. Mix to a hard dough with hands.
7. Clean hands and rub with a little butter to prevent dough sticking while shaping.
8. Break off small pcs of dough the size of a walnut and form into pear shapes.
9. Insert a whole clove in the top of each to resemble a stem and place upright on a buttered and floured baking sheet.
10. Bake in a moderately slow oven for 20 min, covering with brown paper if tops begin to brown.
11. Sift 2 c. icing sugar into a bowl and dip warm Amigthalota into it.
12. If you like, a little rose or possibly orange flower water may be brushed onto Amigthalota before dipping into icing sugar.
13. Place on a wire rack to cold.
14. Sift remaining sugar from bowl into base of a container and arrange cooled Almond Pears upright in a single layer.
15. Sift more sugar thickly over tops and sides, seal and store for a day or possibly two before using.