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‘Beans of the Dead’ pastries

⏱ 20 min🍳 10 min👤 3 pp★★☆☆☆

The ‘Beans of the Dead’ are small, delicious traditional Italian pastries, normally prepared at home or in bakeries for the feast of All Saints. It appears that in ancient Greece these colourful sweets were distributed at funerals, which is why they became associated with this religious festival. It is also thought that in the night between All Saints and the Festival of the Dead (between 1st and 2nd November), the dead come to visit their loved ones whereupon the latter prepare these pastries as a delicate and colourful gift. If we dig deeper into history, we can see that fava beans have always been a the subject of superstition, because it is known that the Egyptians did not cultivate them, and furthermore there is the legend that the black ones should be offered at funerals because they contain the soul of the deceased. All the regions of Italy, even though these days also celebrating the festival of Halloween (a typically Anglo Saxon occasion), argue about who invented the recipe for ‘Beans of the Dead’!

Ingredients

Nutritional values 520 kcal / serving
Protein
12g
Carbohydrates
58g
Fat
28g
Fiber
3g

* approximate values per serving

Information
20 minutes Total time
10 minutes Active time
Serves 3 persons
★★☆☆☆ Medium difficulty

Preparation

Prepare all the ingredients. In a bowl combine the flour, almond flour and the sugar. In another bowl, break a whole egg and an egg yolk. Beat the eggs with a fork. Add the egg mixture to the flour, along with some soft butter. Mix well and form into a ball. Divide the dough into 3 equal parts, and add to each part the alchermes (a sweet, red Italian liqueur), cocoa and bitter almond liqueur. Shape the dough into long, narrow sausages. With a knife, cut the dough into small pieces and either roll them into ball shapes with your hands or keep them elongated, in the shape of a bean. Place them on some baking parchment on a baking tray in the oven for ten minutes at 170°C.

Tips
Two tips: you can omit the butter and the ‘beans’ will be more crisp. And, secondly, you can also use icing sugar instead of caster sugar.
Trivia
Pellegrino Artusi also discusses different versions of the ‘Beans of the Dead’ in his kitchen writings.

Step by step

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Additional information

Death Beans with Cocoa and Alchermes

A delicious variant of the traditional death beans is the one that includes the addition of cocoa and alchermes. This preparation makes the cookies not only tastier but also with a distinctive color and flavor. To make them, follow the basic recipe for death beans, but add unsweetened cocoa to the dough, along with a bit of alchermes to give it a unique aroma. The final result will be soft and fragrant treats, perfect for enjoying on special occasions or during the holidays. These cookies are also great for gifting, thanks to their colorful and appealing presentation. Try them as a sweet accompaniment to a good coffee or as a dessert after meals.

Venetian Death Beans

The death beans are a typical sweet of the Venetian tradition, particularly appreciated during the All Saints period. This regional variant is characterized by a dough made from almond flour and sugar, which gives it a unique and unmistakable flavor. In Veneto, it is common to enrich the recipe with the addition of local liqueurs, such as alchermes, which adds a note of color and fragrance. The preparation is simple but requires attention during baking to achieve golden and fragrant cookies. This sweet is often associated with family celebrations, carrying a strong connection to the tradition and culinary culture of the region. Tasting the Venetian death beans is a way to immerse oneself in the history and customs of a territory rich in flavors.

Light Death Beans without Sugar

For those who wish to enjoy death beans without worrying about calories, it is possible to prepare a light version by replacing sugar with natural sweeteners such as xylitol or erythritol. Additionally, low-calorie almond flour can be used, and the amount of butter can be reduced, perhaps substituting it with low-fat yogurt. This variant allows for maintaining the typical flavor of death beans without sacrificing lightness. It is an excellent solution for those on a diet or for anyone simply seeking a healthier alternative. Although the texture may vary slightly, the final result will still be a pleasant sweet to share with friends and family. Try this version for a light yet tasty snack!

Death Beans: Benefits and Nutritional Value

Death beans, thanks to the use of almond flour, offer numerous nutritional benefits. Almonds are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, contributing to a balanced and healthy diet. Moreover, they are a source of plant-based proteins and good fatty acids, essential for the proper functioning of the body. On average, each death bean cookie contains about 100 calories, depending on the ingredients used. This makes them a relatively caloric sweet, but if consumed in moderation, they can be an integral part of a healthy diet. For those who are mindful of calorie intake, it is always advisable to enjoy them in small portions and pair them with a light beverage, such as green tea or an infusion.

Can Death Beans be Stored?

Storing death beans is an important aspect to consider in order to maintain the freshness and flavor of these treats. It is advisable to place them in an airtight container to protect them from moisture and air. In this way, they can retain their fragrance for several days. If made in abundance, they can also be frozen: simply arrange them on a tray and place them in the freezer, then transfer them to a food bag once solidified. When you wish to enjoy them, just let them thaw at room temperature. This way, death beans can always be ready for a sweet moment of pleasure, even weeks after preparation.