Knedle (Plum Dumpling)
My mom was born and raised on a small farm in Croatia. And my grandma was a small but mighty force in the kitchen. Raising 5 girls all by herself, in a new country that she barely knew the language. She got by working as a seamstress, cleaning lady, and at night cooked every meal from scratch. When we would visit her, she was meticulous. She would pick up each one of us (4 kids) one by one, into the bathtub to wash our feet.
Her cooking was always perfection. Soups brewing all day, cookies she would hand out to her doctors, dentists, anyone else lucky enough to be in her good graces. One of my favorite unique dishes was this little plum dumpling. It could be sweetened up to be a dessert, or left to be a bit more savory. This one is so dear to my heart, that i would allow a little coconut sugar alternative, but would not want to change much.
Found a copy cat recipe here. Will never be the same as made by the great woman who won all our hearts.
Ingredients
3 medium potatoes (peeled, boiled, mashed and cooled)
2 large eggs (beaten)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups cassava flour (or almond)
16 damson or Italian prune plums (washed and pitted)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
1/4 cup bread crumbs, gluten free recipe
Optional garnish: coconut sugar
Optional garnish: cinnamon
Steps to Make It
In a large bowl, combine potatoes, eggs, and salt. When well combined, add flour and mix until soft dough forms.
Place a sugar cube in the center of each pitted plum. Place a large pot of salted water on and bring to a boil.
Using lightly floured hands, take a portion of dough and pat it flat in your hand. Place a plum in the center and bring sides of dough up over plum, enclosing it completely. Moisten edges if necessary to seal. Carefully drop into boiling water. Repeat until all plums are in the water. Cook 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt butter in small skillet, add bread crumbs and brown. Using a slotted spoon, remove dumplings to a colander. Transfer to a serving platter and pour buttered crumbs over dumplings. Dust with granulated or confectioners' sugar and cinnamon, if desired.
Alternate, and beautiful pictures found here.
