Recipe: Old Fashioned Fried Pies from Kentucky

OLD FASHIONED FRIED PIES FROM KENTUCKY

FOR THE FRUIT FILLING:
1 (8 oz) pkg dried fruit (your choice)
cold water
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
FOR THE FRIED PIE CRUSTS:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable shortening (that's Crisco)
6 ounces cold water

TO PREPARE THE FRUIT FILLING:
Cover dried fruit with cold water in pot. Soak Fruit for one hour.

Cover with lid and cook over medium heat for about 45 minutes or until fruit is soft, appearing as it did before drying. Drain well.

Pour into mixing bowl, blending sugar, nutmeg, salt, and cinnamon. Mix well, seasoning to taste. Set aside, allowing to cool before using.

TO PREPARE THE CRUSTS:
Place flour in mixing bowl. Sprinkle in salt, mix slightly. Break or cut in shortening until it is covered with flour. Blend mixture well by rubbing it between both hands until it looks like coarse corn meal. Make a well in center of mixture and pour in cold water, mixing well, then roll mixture into a ball shape.

TO MAKE THE PIES:
Break off small pieces and roll out flat. Using a cutter of saucer, cut out round circles of dough. Place 1 1/2 tablespoons of fruit filling and place in center of circle. Using a small pastry brush and cold water, brush the edges of dough. Fold over until all edges meet in a half moon shape, pinching edges to make sure they are sealed.

FRYING:
Use about 1/2-inch of frying oil in cast iron skillet, heating to 375 degrees F. Place pies in hot oil. Brown one side then the other. Place cooked pies on a drain table to cool before eating.

Note: These are very popular here in Kentucky and soooo good. You can make them out of any of your favorite fruit. I grew up eating my mom's fried pies made from re-hydrated dried apples. They were light and tender and crunchy and sweet. I try now to limit my fried food consumption but these will be on my list of things to fry.

Adapted from source: Diarich