Macedonian Plum Dumplings, also known as Knedle sa Šljivama, is a traditional Macedonian dish made with sweet plums and a soft potato-based dough. These dumplings are boiled until tender and then served with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar. They are a perfect dessert or a sweet treat for breakfast or brunch. The combination of the juicy plums and the soft dumpling dough is absolutely delightful. Follow this authentic recipe to recreate a taste of Macedonia in your own kitchen!
Ingredients
- 6 large potatoes
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 12 small sweet plums
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- Water, for boiling
Directions
- Boil the potatoes in a pot of salted water until tender. Drain and let cool.
- Peel and mash the potatoes until smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, flour, and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough into equal portions and flatten each portion with your hands.
- Take a plum, remove the pit, and place it in the center of a flattened dough portion. Wrap the dough around the plum, sealing it completely.
- Repeat with the remaining plums and dough.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Carefully add the dumplings to the boiling water and cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the dumplings float to the surface.
- In a separate bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Remove the cooked dumplings from the water using a slotted spoon and roll them in the breadcrumb mixture to coat.
- Serve the plum dumplings warm, sprinkled with additional cinnamon and sugar if desired.
Interesting Facts
Plum dumplings are a popular dessert in many Eastern European countries, including Macedonia.
The dumpling dough can be made with various ingredients, such as potatoes, breadcrumbs, or cottage cheese.
In Macedonia, these dumplings are often enjoyed during the summer when plums are in season.