Potato Dumplings

Potato dumplings are a comforting and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. Made with grated potatoes, bacon, and flavorful herbs, these dumplings are cooked until tender and served with slices of salt pork for added richness. The combination of ingredients creates a hearty and flavorful dish that is sure to please your taste buds. Whether you choose to wrap them in cabbage leaves or enjoy them as they are, potato dumplings are a delicious addition to any meal.

Serves 6

INGREDEINTS:

• 1 pound salt pork, in a slab
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 8-10 pounds potatoes, grated
• 1 cup buckwheat flour
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup sorrel leaves, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups flat parsley, finely chopped
• Pepper and salt
• 18 cubes bacon
• 18 cabbage leaves (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large kettle, cook the salt pork with the chicken stock over low heat for 50-60 minutes, turning it over regularly.
2. Squeeze the grated potatoes in a towel to extract as much liquid as possible.
3. In a large bowl, mix the squeezed potato, buckwheat flour, minced garlic, sorrel leaves, 1 cup of parsley, and season with pepper and salt.
4. Using your hands, form egg-sized balls out of the potato mixture, incorporating a cube of bacon into each ball. Pack the mixture firmly and then slightly flatten the balls to make patties. Alternatively, if desired, wrap each patty in a cabbage leaf and tie with kitchen twine to prevent them from breaking up.
5. Place the patties in the kettle with the salt pork. Simmer, covered, until they rise to the surface, which should take about 1 hour.
6. Drain the dumplings and sprinkle them with the remaining chopped parsley.
7. Serve the potato dumplings with slices of the cooked salt pork.

TIPS FOR MAKING POTATO DUMPLINGS:

• Grate the potatoes: Be sure to grate the potatoes finely and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. This will help the dumplings hold their shape and prevent them from becoming too wet during cooking.
• Incorporate the flavors: Mix in minced garlic, chopped sorrel leaves, and parsley to add a burst of flavor to the potato mixture. These herbs will enhance the overall taste of the dumplings.
• Bacon cubes: Adding a cube of bacon to each dumpling adds a smoky and savory element. It infuses the dumplings with rich flavor as they cook.
• Consider using cabbage leaves: Wrapping each dumpling in a cabbage leaf can help keep them intact during cooking. The cabbage leaves also impart a subtle flavor to the dumplings. However, if you prefer, you can skip this step and cook the dumplings without the cabbage leaves.
• Simmer gently: Cook the dumplings in the kettle with the salt pork over low heat. This gentle simmering allows the flavors to meld together and ensures the dumplings become tender without falling apart.
• Serve with salt pork: The slices of cooked salt pork complement the potato dumplings perfectly. They add a deliciously savory element to the dish.

NOTE:

• The optional cabbage leaves can add extra flavor and help hold the dumplings together, but you can omit them if preferred.

Enjoy preparing and savoring these delightful potato dumplings. They are a wonderful choice for a comforting and satisfying meal.