Potato Apricot Dumplings

Wow, this looks interesting! Posted for Zaar World Tour 2005. Comes from a cookbook of countries along the Danube. This recipe is from the Czechs. You could probably try using 24 dried half apricots if fresh are not available. It would affect the texture more than the taste. There seems to be a large dough to apricot ratio, but I have not tried this yet. Cook time includes chill time.

• Ready In: 12 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 12 dumplings

Ingredients

• 7  medium potatoes
• 2  eggs, slightly beaten
•  salt and pepper
• 3  cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 12  small apricots
• 12  teaspoons  lumps of sugar
• 1⁄2 cup butter, melted (optional)

Directions

1. Boil potatoes in large pot of water, drain and refrigerate for 12-24 hours.
2. Peel and grate potatoes and place in large bowl. Add eggs, salt, flour and baking powder.
3. Knead dough until it is firm and set aside.
4. Half and pit apricots and place a lump of sugar where pit was.
5. Divide dough in 12 pieces and wrap firmly around each whole apricot. Make sure dumplings are well sealed.
6. Drop dumplings in 4-6 quarts boiling water and cook for 15-20 minutes. Remove to platter and sprinkle with butter, if desired.