Painting of St. Francis by Giovanni Da Milano
This recipe from the Umbria region of Italy is served on the feast day of St. Francis. It is supposedly one of the few foods that St. Francis let himself really enjoy. The recipe, according to tradition, originated with St. Clare.
Paletta di Mandorla
(Almond Slices)
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs
4 cups flour
2 cups almonds, whole, finely chopped, or 4 cups almonds, ground
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
Cream butter, sugar and eggs. Add the other ingredients and knead until smooth. Form 2 rolls about 1 inch (3 cm) diameter.
Bake in a preheated moderately hot oven 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown.
When cool, cut into slices 3/4 inch (2 cm) thick, and toast in the oven for 3 minutes.
Taken from Cooking with the Saints by Ernst Schuegraf
