November Delicacy - Dead Man's Bones

Here is the Recipe for the Ghadam tal-Mejtin (translates to Dead Man's Bones) which is a sweet pastry with almond filling and is totally delicious...of course the shape of this pastry is that of a bone but I can assure you it is delicious in whatever shape you decide to make it : )

These bones are a special delicacy in November when we honour our dear departed ones.

I must thank my very dear friend Miriam Borg for generously sharing her recipe with us, thanks Mir : ) Your pastries are always so delicious!

Ingredients for pastry dough

480grs.self raising flour

200grs.margarine

120grs.sugar

1 egg yolk

Grated rind of 1 lemon

Vanilla essence


For the filling :

300grs .ground almonds

300grs.sugar

Grated rind of 1 lemon

Egg white

Almond & vanilla


How to make the pastry:

Sieve the flour into a large bowl,holding the sieve as high as possible, so that the flour get a really good airing, add the margarine cut into small lumps, then rub it into the flour using fingertips only .

In a separate bowl mix the sugar, egg yolk, vanilla and lemon rind mix well.

Add the mix.to the flour work into dough.place the pastry in a polythene bag and leave in fridge for 30mins.



How to prepare the filling :

Mix the ground almonds, sugar and lemon rind. Whisk the egg white and add the vanilla & almond.

Combine and mix with the almonds, sugar and lemon rind mixture .


How to make the “bones”:

Roll out the pastry thinly and cut several 15cms x 10cms rectangles.

Take spoonfuls of the almond filling and place down the middle of the pastry rectangles, dampen the edges with water. Roll the pastry and form into wide strips, close the edges and shape into bones .


Baking Procedure:

Bake in a moderate oven for some 15 or 20 minutes .
Let cool completely before decorating.

Decorating the bones:

Mix icing sugar in some water (the mixture has to be thick).

Spread and paste the mixture on top of the bones.

Enjoy!