Pinolate (Ligurian Pine Nut Cookies)

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Pinolate (Ligurian Pine Nut Cookies)

Pinolate are simple Ligurian pine nut cookies with a wonderfully chewy soft centre, a crisp outer and delicious nutty flavour. Also called pignoli or amaretti con pignoli, they’re traditionally made with a mix of bitter and sweet almonds. As bitter almonds can be hard to find, I use marzipan mixed with some ground and slivered almonds for texture. Pinolate soften a little when stored, so are best eaten within 24 hours of baking, ideally with a glass of Williams & Humbert Dos Cortados Palo Cortado Sherry. See video below for another Ligurian sweet treat.

Makes 12–15

Ingredients
  • 200g marzipan, chopped
  • 50g slivered almonds
  • 50g castor sugar
  • 100g ground almond
  • 2 egg whites
  • 45g pine nuts
  • Icing sugar, for sprinkling
Method
  1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
  2. Place marzipan, slivered almonds, sugar and half the ground almond in a small food processor and blitz to combine.
  3. Add egg whites and blitz to form a soft dough.
  4. Transfer to a bowl and stir in remaining ground almond.
  5. Spread pine nuts on a small plate.
  6. With moistened hands, roll walnut-sized pieces of the dough into balls.
  7. Flatten them slightly and press the top into the pine nuts; place on a baking paper-lined oven tray, nut side up.
  8. Bake for 10–15 minutes, until firm and lightly coloured.
  9. Set pinolate aside to cool, sprinkle with icing sugar and serve.
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Canestrelli (Shortbread Cookies)

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What Other Travellers Say

Belinda (Balmain, NSW, Aus.)
Belinda (Balmain, NSW, Aus.)
I’ve been on three of Roberta’s food and wine tours and each has been an amazing well-organised experience. From remarkable Venice and the surrounding Veneto region to historic Rome and Pompeii, the spectacular Amalfi Coast, and the charming villages of Switzerland – each tour offers something special. Then there’s the food in fabulous places where you can truly eat like a local – inspired travel through great food, wine and company. I’m already looking forward to the next one!
Beverly (Woden, ACT, Aus.)
Beverly (Woden, ACT, Aus.)
Had a fabulous time on Roberta’s back to back tours of Southern Italy and Veneto – good to revisit some places I knew well, like Rome and Venice, and discover new ones, like Matera and Padua. Fantastic and varied food experiences, great cooking classes, met interesting wine makers, restaurateurs and other food artisans and drank some beautiful wines. Highly recommend both tours – and doing them together. I’ll definitely be doing another tour with Roberta.
Mark (Elizabeth Bay, NSW, Aus.)
Mark (Elizabeth Bay, NSW, Aus.)
My wife and I joined Roberta's Emilia-Romagna tour. We enjoyed all the temptations offered and learned a lot about that part of Italy, especially its food and wine culture. What was most impressive was Roberta's local knowledge of people and places. The planning and effort she put into making the whole experience seem effortless was remarkable.
Shelley (Auckland, NZ)
Shelley (Auckland, NZ)
Roberta’s passion for Italy shone throughout an unforgettable food and wine tour. She introduced us to family-owned artisanal producers, where we experienced everything from attic-aged balsamic to small-batch wines, Parma ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano. The local guides were equally passionate, and the excellent transport and accommodation made the trip effortless. This tour captured the region’s traditions, flavours and people, and thanks to Roberta’s deep knowledge we left with wonderful memories. A truly authentic culinary adventure.
Diane (Cremorne Point, NSW, Aus.)
Diane (Cremorne Point, NSW, Aus.)
Relaxed, organised and well-paced – I enjoyed a wonderful small group tour starting in Rome, then travelling down the Amalfi Coast to stay at a family estate where we were treated like old friends. It included some hidden gems too, notably on our way to Matera, a fascinating town built into the side of a mountain. We finished with Naples and Pompeii – with plenty of wine and more new tastes. Roberta is a specialist and very personable as she hosts and explains every detail of the food and wine experience.
Fiona (Blackheath, NSW, Aus.)
Fiona (Blackheath, NSW, Aus.)
I thoroughly enjoyed the trip to the Veneto and Venice. Roberta creates wonderful bespoke small group tours with her incredible knowledge of food and wine and adds great accommodation and points of interest. It’s like travelling with your ‘besties’ – including one who’s done all the hard work researching and discovering the best and most interesting places to go, especially to eat and drink. Come with an appetite! Also factored in is time for you to do your own exploring and discover your own gems.
Di (Manly, NSW, Aus.)
Di (Manly, NSW, Aus.)
We had always travelled independently, so a small group tour felt like a risk, but by day 2 we knew it was the right choice. Roberta knows people and places far from the tourist trail: winery lunches, a family lemon grove high on the Amalfi Coast, a third-generation cheesemaker, an amazing cave hotel in Matera. We'll definitely travel with Roberta again.
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