3/4 cup oil

1/3 cup water + 1 tbsp -- divided

1/3 cup sugar

2 1/2 cups flour -- (up to 3 cups)

2 cups ground blanched almonds

3 tablespoons honey -- (up to 4 tbsp)

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch cloves SYRUP: 1/2 cup sugar

1 cup honey

1/2 cup water

OVEN: 350

Combine oil, 1/3 cup water and sugar; add enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead til smooth. Divide dough into 35 pieces. Set aside.

FILLING: Mix together almonds, 1 tbsp water and enough honey to make a stiff paste. Add cinnamon and cloves.

Press a piece of dough into a 4- inch round and fill with 1 tsp filling. Fold and seal. Repeat with remaining 34 dough pieces.

Place on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes or til light brown.

TO SERVE: Boil travados 3 minutes in syrup in batches. Drain and cool.

SYRUP: Add all syrup ingredients to a saucepan and bring to a boil.

Source: Kyra Effren/ Universal Press Syndicate via The Naples Daily News 9-5-96