Pine Nut Amaretti

Amaretti are crisp Italian almond macaroons that can be bought at many specialty food shops.

Grate the almond paste on the large holes of a box grater (or crumble as finely as possible with your fingertips) into a medium bowl. Add the egg whites. Using a handheld electric mixer at low speed, beat until the mixture is well combined. Add the sugar, increase the speed to mediumhigh, and beat until smooth.
Using a rounded teaspoon for each, roll the dough into ¾-inch balls. Place the pine nuts in a small bowl. One at a time, press one side of the ball into the nuts, then place the balls 1 inch apart on a cookie sheet lined with a nonstick baking pad. Set aside, uncovered, at room temperature for 4 hours.
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 300°F. Bake until the cookies are deep golden brown and the pine nuts are lightly toasted, about 40 minutes. Cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.