SC - Fave dei Morti (Beans of the Dead)

[Christine A Seelye-King]

Ok, here you go, a recipie and everything.  This is from the book
"Feast-Day Cakes From Many Lands" by Dorothy Gladys Spicer
 copyrite 1960, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, NY

'Fave die Morti (Beans of the Dead) - Italy

	Fave dei Morti, beans of the dead, are the little bean-shaped
cakes that Italians eat on November 2, Il Giorno dei Morti, or All Soul's
Day.  These small cakes, made of ground almonds and sugar combined with
egg, butter, flour, and subtle flavorings, are traditionally eaten
throughout Italy on the day that everyone decorates the graves with
flowers and says masses for departed souls.  
         <snip explaination of church decorations, graveside florals>
	In spite of the somber beginning of Il Giorno dei Morti, the day
is far from gloomy.  To young men in and about Rome, the Day of the Dead
is the proper time to send engagement rings to sweethearts.  And to young
couples this 'festa' is the occasion to announce betrothals.  Fave dei
Morti, sometimes white, or tinted delicate pink, or chocolate color, play
an important part in these rites.  For the man sends the ring to his
fiancee in a conventional small square white box that is packed in an
oval container, full of the bean-shaped cakes.  
          <snip explaination of other holiday observances>
	Fave dei Morti, beans of the dead, are rich and delicate little
cakes.  Despite their macabre origin, you will want them often.   Color
them orange and serve them at Halloween or Thanksgiving parties with ice
cream goblin or pumpkin molds.  Or leave them white and store in tightly
closed tins, to serve with coffee or tea to unexpected guests.  

	FAVE DEI MORTI
	
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup finely ground almonds (unblanched)
1 egg
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
Vegetable coloring, if desired

Combine sugar, butter, and ground almonds.  Beat egg and add to other
ingredients, mixing thoroughly.  Add flour and flavoring.  Work dough
until smooth and make into a roll about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.  Wrap
in waxed paper and refrigerate 2-3 hours.  Then cut off bits of dough and
mold them into kidney-shaped pieces about as large as lima beans. 
Bake on greased cookie sheet in moderate oven (350 degrees) about 15-20
minutes, or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes before removing them from
pan with spatula.  Yield: about 2 dozen small cakes.  '

I would infer from the "Add flour and flavoring" line that you should add
whatever flavor you wish at this stage, such as cocoa powder, lemon, etc.
 Hope this is what your autocrat had in mind! 
	Good Luck,	
	Mistress Christianna MacGrain

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