Canary Island Doughnuts

This is a San Antonio specialty.

Filling
1 pound (about 1 large) boiled or
    baked sweet potato, mashed
1 1/2 cups chopped toasted almonds
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons Pernod
1 teaspoon aniseed, toasted and ground
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Pinch of cinnamon

In a medium bowl, combine all filling ingredients. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight.

Pastry
8 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lemon zest
3/4 cup Crisco