When slavery had just ended, almost everyone was forced to work on a plantation. Meanwhile, my great grandfather wanted more in life than to just amount to a farmer. He worked relentlessly for years to save enough money for a car to become a taxi driver and along with this money he moved to a new neighborhood. 

This was the poorest neighborhood on the island, right by the refinery where a thick coat of soot covered everything in sight. My great grandfather had 8 kids with his wife and they were struggling to support their family of 10. To make ends meet my great grandmother would make cookies to sell called “Letters”. They were made with peanuts since they were a local product and they were formed into an “S” shape. She was quickly discovered and known on the whole island of Curaçao as one of the best cookie bakers.

After her and my great grandpa got married, she was allowed to know the secret family recipes so she could continue to support her family. Her mother-in-law showed her how to perfect each and every recipe there was which led to even higher demand. My mom still remembers from her childhood helping her mom take the casing off the peanuts in her kitchen when they would make these very cookies. I am sharing this story to bring pride to women in my family that didn't have access to much education but they used their skills and their wits to make an income and raise their families.
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Ingredients:
500g roasted unsalted peanuts
450g sugar
6 eggs
500g flour (sifted), plus 250g flour for forming the letters
2 tsp baking powder
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
1 tsp salt
Makes about 120 letters
Instructions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  2. Finely ground peanuts in a food processor.
  3. Mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a bowl.
  4. Cream eggs for 5 minutes, add sugar and continue to mix for another five minutes.
  5. Add vanilla extract and stir with a wooden spoon.
  6. With the wooden spoon, slowly incorporate the flour mixture to the egg and sugar mixture.
  7. Slowly stir in ground peanuts. (the dough will be heavy and a bit wet)
  8. Let dough sit for 30 mins covered with a wet tea towel.
  9. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper
  10. Sift the remaining 250 gr flour into a seperate bowl.
  11. Using two t-spoons, scoop clumps the size of about a tablespoon at the time, drop them in the bowl with flour to cover the clumps with flour so they are no longer sticky.
  12. Flour your hands, then role the balls into strings and shape into an “S” form. 
  13. Put letters on the baking sheet keeping about 1.5 cm distance between them.
  14. Bake letters for about 15 minutes, till they are light brown.
  15. Let cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then move to a cooling rack and let cool completely.

Letter di pinda is traditionally served during baptisms, first communions and funerals with hot chocolate. Enjoy!
Created by Mar Nicorescu