Torta tal-Marmurat (Almond chocolate tart)

TORTA TAL-MARMURAT (ALMOND AND CHOCOLATE TART)

For the pastry:  process 200g plain flour, 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda, 100g butter till like finebreadcrumbs;  add 2 tbs sugar and continue mixing;  add some lemon zest and vanilla essence.  Bind with one egg and some cold water.  Rest in fridge for about an hour.

Filling:  In a bowl mix together 200g pure ground almons, 100g cocoa, 100g chopped orange and tangerine peel, 1 tbs ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cloves, some vanilla, 3 eggs beaten.

Line a fluted tin with the pastry and trim;  fill with the almond mixture, make a trellis on top.  Bake in a preheated oven (fan 175) for about 30/40 minutes till golden brown.  In summer, nice served with some vanilla ice-cream or panna.