The traditional Italian Amaretti cookie can trace its roots back to ancient and medieval Sicily. That's when the almond first came to Italy, brought by merchants from the Middle East. From Sicily it spread to become a part of Italian cuisine.
Now in modern times, Italy is one of the world's major producers of this healthy tree nut. Almonds are very versatile. They can be roasted; ground into a slightly sweet, dense flour that is used for both pastry and savory cooking. It's also used in wine and alcohol. |
