Lou, I believe you are looking for Quaresimali (Lenten Almond Biscuits) - here
is a recipe for them:

3 cups shelled almonds
1 cup white sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamin
1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 eggs
2 tablespoons milk

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F.

Toast almonds in jelly roll pan for about 10 minutes. Let cool. Grind finely
1/4 of the almonds, mix with 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar and set aside.

Grind coarsely the remaining almonds and set aside. In a large bowl stir together flour, remaining 3/4 cup sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon and baking powder. Add the butter and stir until all ingredients are combined.

Stir in coarsely ground almonds and 2 of the eggs, then knead the dough in the
bowl until all ingredients are combined. Divide the dough in half.

Form each half into a rectangle 15 x 4 inches. Transfer rectangles to baking
sheets which have been buttered and floured. Brush rectangles well with 1 egg
combined with 2 tablespoons milk. Sprinkle with reserved almond/sugar mixture.
Bake them in the upper third of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden
brown and a skewer or toothpick comes out clean. Cut rectangles crossiwse into
slices 3/4 inch thick. Let stand 15 minutes in the turned off oven. Transfer
to racks and let cool completely.