Nut

The recipe calls for a pastry bag, but the meringue disks can also be formed with a spatula. If made ahead, the meringue will soften slightly from contact with the buttercream.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

These fresh-from-the-oven rolls are made with frozen bread dough.

This feather-light, sweet-tart bread is as good as it sounds.

You can use the more traditional orange flower water or rose water instead of the orange peel and juice concentrate to flavor these crispy cookies.

Also good made with melon or oranges.

Offer sliced peaches with these cookies. Store the crescents in a shallow airtight container.

(TARTELETTES AUX NOIX)

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Malta This thin, cookie-like tart with a lattice crust is offered on a feast day that commemorates the birth of the Virgin Mary and the exit of the Turks in 1565.

Capirotada The cheese in this recipe melts into the pudding and contributes more texture than flavor.

Tortelli di Zucca con Mandorle Don't be fooled by the broth — this is not a soup recipe. Only a very small amount of broth is poured over the tortelli before serving. To grate the cheese, use the ragged-edged holes of a box grater (not the teardrop-shaped holes we recommend in our Recipe Tips). That way, you'll have the correct texture for the filling. Active time: 2 hr Start to finish: 6 1/4 hr (includes making stock)

There's extra crunch in the topping from lots of sliced almonds. Vanilla ice cream is good with this.