Loz (almond Sweetmeats)

Total Time: 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 8 ounces ground almonds
• 4 ounces icing sugar
• 4 -6 tablespoons orange blossom water
• 4 ounces pistachio nuts, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 ounce caster sugar
• 4 ounces extra icing sugar
• 4 ounces extra pistachio nuts, peeled, see note below

Recipe

• 1 combine the finely chopped pistachio nuts and caster sugar, and set aside.
• 2 combine the ground almonds and icing sugar with enough orange-blossom water to form a stiff paste.
• 3 knead until smooth and allow to rest for about 10 minutes.
• 4 shape the paste into small balls the size of a walnut, and using a teaspoon handle, make a small hole in each ball and fill it with the combined pistachio nuts and caster sugar; close the hole over the filling and reshape to a round shape.
• 5 roll the balls in icing sugar and place in small paper cups or on a serving plate. decorate the top of each ball with a peeled pistachio nut.
• 6 serve with coffee.
• 7 note: to peel pistachio nuts, simmer for 3 minutes, drain and slip off skins; dry on a paper towel before use.