Galuste/Gomboti de Prune

"Plum Dumplings"

Fresh fruit wrapped in dough that is then cooked and rolled through sweetened breadcrumbs. This dessert reminds me of my childhood, my mom would make these often during plum season. Although the breadcrumbs that stuck to the dumpling was already sweetened, I used to love to dip it in even more sugar. These are really good warm or cold, and to me, they are the perfect comfort food! As a variation, I have made these with apricots and with peaches and they were equally as delicious!

6-8 medium potatoes
3 eggs
3 tbls vegetable oil
pinch of salt
Flour
15-20 plums, pitted and halved

Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are soft, then peel them and allow to cool slightly. In a large bowl, mash the potatoes thoroughly with a fork so that there are no large clumps. Add the eggs, oil and salt, and mix so that it is well incorporated. Slowly add flour in order to form a dough, once it is no longer wet it is done. Be careful not to overwork the dough, otherwise it will get to be tough.

On a lightly floured board, roll the dough out so that it is about 1/4 inch in thickness and cut into 3-inch squares. Place a half of a plum in each square, and gather the corners of the dough to enclose the plum, rolling the dumpling in your hand so that there are no openings.

Fill a pot to about halfway with water and about a tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, and bring to a simmer. Add the dumplings to the water, depending on the size of your pot, just 5 or 6 at a time.

While the dumplings are cooking, in a pan, heat some oil (3-4 tbls or so) and add 3cups plain breadcrumbs, lightly toast the breadcrumbs over low heat while combining with the oil. Remove from heat and add a couple spoonfuls of sugar, per your taste, and mix thoroughly. Set aside.

When the dumplings are fully cooked in the water, they will float to the top. With a slotted spoon, remove one at a time and place it directly in the breadcrumbs. Roll the dumplings in the breadcrumbs one by one until they are fully coated, then remove and place on a serving dish. Repeat with all of the dumplings.

Enjoy!