Scald milk in saucepan. Add shortening, salt, and sugar; stir until shortening is melted and sugar dissolved. Cool to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in warm water; add to lukewarm milk mixture and mix well. Add eggs and lemon peel to milk mixture. Add flour; beat until smooth. Cover and let rise for 6 hours. Punch down dough. Add raisins; knead until smooth and elastic. Generously grease brioche pan; sprinkle bottom with almonds. Pour dough into pan. Let rise, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 425F. Bake babka for 20 minutes. Remove from pan immediately.
