ITALIAN PRETZELS

3 cups flour
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 tsp. fennel seed or anise seed
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
Lukewarm water (as much as you need about 1/4 cup)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet. Bring a pot of water to boil on the stove.

Mix all ingredients together until they form a ball. Take a pinch of dough the size of a pecan and roll the dough into a sausage shape. Press the ends of the dough together to make a ring.

Drop ring into boiling water, 10 at a time.

Remove from water and drain on a paper towel. Then put rings on a baking sheet.

Bake at 400 degrees for 40-50 minutes.

Makes 3 dozen