Quaresimali

The name of these biscotti translates as Lentens—cookies meant to be consumed during Lent, the traditional 40-day fast that precedes Easter. Nowadays the rigors of Lent are greatly relaxed; fasting is now optional, so the fact that these cookies were made without egg yolks or butter has less religious significance than it once did. This recipe is loosely based on one by my late friend Richard Sax.