Preheat the
oven to 325°F/170°C/gas 3. Spread the blanched
almonds on a large baking sheet.
Toast for 7
minutes, or until lightly golden. Let cool
completely and cut the almonds in half. Increase
the oven temperature to
350°F/180°C/gas
4.
Line a cookie
sheet with parchment paper. Toast the pine nuts
in a frying pan over medium heat for 5-7
minutes, or until lightly golden.
Sift the
flour, baking powder, and salt into a large
bowl. Stir in the sugar, dates, apricots,
prunes, halved and whole almonds, pine nuts, and
the orange and lemon zests.
Beat the eggs
in a medium bowl with an electric mixer at high
speed until frothy. Add the beaten egg to the
dry ingredients, reserving 1 tablespoon.
Divide the
dough in half. Form the dough into two long logs
about 1 1/4 inches (3-cm) in diameter. Transfer
the logs to the prepared cookie sheets,
flattening them slightly.
Bake for
15-20
minutes, or
firm to the touch. Transfer to a cutting board
to cool for 10 minutes. Lower the oven
temperature to 300°F/150°C/gas 2.
Cut on the
diagonal into 1/2 inch (1-cm) slices. Arrange
the slices cut-side up on the cookie sheet and
bake for 7-10 minutes, or until golden and
toasted. Transfer to racks to cool.