Fave dei Morti

Name: Fave dei Morti
Yield: 2
Cuisine: San Marino
Ingredients: Ground almonds — 200 g (2 cups); Sugar — 150 g (3/4 cup); All-purpose flour — 100 g (3/4 cup); Egg — 1; Egg yolk — 1; Ground cinnamon — 1/2 tsp; Zest of 1 lemon; Of salt — pinch; Icing sugar, for dusting

The Quirky Foodster Team

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Servings

Ingredients

Ground almonds — 200 g (2 cups)
Sugar — 150 g (3/4 cup)
All-purpose flour — 100 g (3/4 cup)
Egg — 1
Egg yolk — 1
Ground cinnamon — 1/2 tsp
Zest of 1 lemon
Of salt — pinch
Icing sugar, for dusting

Method

Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F) and line a baking tray with parchment.
Combine the ground almonds, sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon zest and salt in a bowl.
Add the egg and egg yolk, mixing until a soft, workable dough forms.
Shape small portions of dough into oval, bean-like shapes.
Arrange on the prepared tray, spaced apart.
Bake for 15-18 minutes until lightly golden at the edges.
Cool completely before dusting with icing sugar.

Introduction: Small almond cookies shaped like broad beans, traditionally made for All Souls’ Day.

Cultural Background: Fave dei Morti (‘beans of the dead’) are traditional cookies prepared across San Marino and the wider Italian peninsula for All Souls’ Day in early November, their bean-like shape rooted in ancient customs of remembrance.

Tips: Don’t overbake, as these cookies should remain slightly soft in the centre. Shape them relatively small and uniform for even baking.

Variations: Add a handful of pine nuts pressed into the tops before baking for a traditional variation; substitute half the almonds with ground hazelnuts for a different flavour.

Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Reheating: These cookies are served at room temperature and are not reheated.

Nutrition: Approx. 90 kcal, 2 g protein, 10 g carbohydrate, 5 g fat per cookie.

FAQs:

Q: Why are these cookies shaped like beans?

A: The shape connects to ancient traditions using broad beans as a symbol of remembrance for the dead, still reflected in the cookies today.

Q: When are these traditionally eaten?

A: They are traditionally prepared and eaten around All Souls’ Day on 2 November.