Cretan almond & olive oil biscuits

These delicious little treats, kritika koulourakia me amygdala, portokali ke ladi, are part of Cretan life. They are also called kalorizika, which equates to a wish of ‘good luck and long life’ because they are often offered at baptisms, engagements and weddings. What’s more, they are also sometimes referred to as paximathakia, relating them to that other ubiquitous Cretan speciality, paximathia, which are twice-baked pieces of old bread that can last for months.