Sure, you could bring a bottle of wine or store-bought cupcakes to a Halloween party. But it would be far more original and fitting to bring "bones of the dead" from Maria’s Pastry Shop in the North End.

Made from flour, sugar, water, and cinnamon, bones of the dead (or ossi di morti in Italian) are white, crunchy-yet-chewy cookies shaped like leg bones. In Sicily, the cookies are baked to celebrate All Souls’ Day (November 2), when children find treats and candy left during the night by the spirits of deceased ancestors and loved ones.

Enza Merola, who works at Maria’s Pastry Shop and is the sister of its owner and namesake, says that although her family isn’t from Sicily, they chose to continue the tradition of making ossi di morti when they took over the shop 20 years ago. One bite of the light, gently spiced treat and you’ll understand why.

Available for $8 per pound in late October and early November at Maria’s Pastry Shop, 46 Cross Street, in Boston. Call (617) 523-1196.