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Old-Fashioned Fried Pies

Source of Recipe


From "Southern Living Homestyle Cooking"






List of Ingredients



• 2 cups dried peaches, apples, or apricots
  
• 1/2 cup sugar
  
• 2 Tbsp butter or margarine, melted
  
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1 tsp salt
  
• 1/3 cup shortening
  
• 2/3 to 1 cup ice water
  
• Vegetable oil
  
• Sifted powdered sugar (optional)
  






Instructions



1. Place fruit in a medium saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil; cook, uncovered, 30 minutes, adding water to cover, if necessary. Drain well. Finely chop fruit; place in a bowl. Stir in sugar and melted butter; set aside.
   
   
2. Combine flour and salt; cut in shortening with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, evenly over surface; stir with a fork until dry ingredients are moistened. Divide pastry into thirds; roll each portion to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface, and cut with a 4½-inch round cutter. Place 1 heaping tablespoon (about 1½ tablespoons) reserved fruit filling in center of each pastry circle. Moisten edges with water. Fold pastry over filling, pressing edges to seal. Crimp edges with a fork dipped in flour; pierce tops with fork.
   
   
3. Pour oil to a depth of 1 inch into a large heavy skillet; heat oil to 400° F. Fry pies, 4 or 5 at a time, in hot oil 3 to 4 minutes or until golden, turning once. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.
   
   Makes 1½ dozen.