Ossi di Morto (Bones of the dead)

By Joschef

Ossi di Morto, literally bones of the dead, are a Tuscan cookie made especially for November 2nd, All Souls Day (called Day of the Dead in some cultures). They get their name from their alabaster color and brittleness.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup hazelnuts (about 4 ounces), roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup almond, roughly chopped
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 egg whites
• the juice of one lemon

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, egg whites, sugar, and lemon juice.
Add the nuts, and work the mixture until the dough is firm.

Shape the dough into a ball and then roll it out into a long thick snake shape (just like kids do with clay).

Cut the snake into 1/2 inch thick slices and break into 2 or 3 pieces and flatten into "bones." (See the photo above)

Butter a cookie sheet, dust it flour, lay the bones on it, and bake for about 20 minutes.

Do not let them get too brown. Cool before serving.