SCHNITZ UND KNEPP (Ham and Dried Apples with Dumplings)
SERVES 6 to 8

Schnitz und Knepp is an old Pennsylvania Dutch recipe meaning 'Apples and Buttons',
made with dried apples, ham and dumplings (the dumplings are the buttons).
It is a kind of 'sweet and sour' dish, the apples being tart and the brown sugar adding sweetness.
It takes some time to prepare, but it is relatively easy and it makes a delicious and comforting main dish.

INGREDIENTS

3 pounds smoked ham with bone
4 cups dried tart apples
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 medium potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (optional)
Dumplings:

2 cups sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 egg, beaten
1/2-2/3 cup milk
Cover ham in large pot with cold water. Bring to boil, reduce and simmer for 2 hours,
or until ham is tender. Meanwhile, put apples in bowl and cover with water.
Soak for at least 2 hours. Remove ham from bone and cut into medium pieces.
Return pieces to liquid. Add apples, with most of apple liquid, to ham.
Add brown sugar and onion. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
Add potatoes and simmer 30 additional minutes.

For dumplings, sift together sifted flour, salt and baking powder.
Cut in butter with two knives or pastry cutter. Stir in eggs.
Gradually add enough milk to make a moist, fairly stiff dough.
Drop dough by tablespoons into gently boiling ham and apple liquid.
Cover tightly and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until dumplings are done.
Serve immediately with Lettuce with Bacon Dressing or Chow-Chow.

Note: Dumplings could be made from your favorite baking mix. Follow directions on package.
Dried tart apples are sometimes difficult to find, but can be ordered from various sources.
You could also dehydrate your own. Be certain, however, to get tart, not sweet, apples.

Thanks!

Sounds good. Thanks for sharing.