zu's fried apple pies

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 2 apples - peeled, cored and chopped
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup water, or as needed
• 1 cup vegetable oil for frying
• 2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Ready Time: 1 hr


• place the apples into a saucepan with the sugar and cinnamon, and bring to a simmer over low heat. cook the apples, stirring frequently, until soft, about 10 minutes; mash the apples with a fork to form a chunky applesauce. set the apple filling aside.
• whisk flour and salt together in a bowl, and cut in the shortening with a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. stir in water until the dough is moistened, and knead several times just until dough holds together. place dough a floured surface, pat into a round, and roll out 1/8-inch thick. use a large round cookie cutter (4 inches in diameter) to cut the dough into 8 rounds.
• place a heaping tablespoon of apple filling the center of a dough round, and use your finger to moisten the edge of the crust with cold water. fold the dough over the filling, and crimp the edges with a fork to make a half-moon-shaped pie. repeat with remaining dough and filling.
• pour the oil into a skillet over medium-high heat, and gently lay 2 or 3 pies into the hot oil. fry to a golden brown color, 2 to 3 minutes per side. drain the pies on paper towels. sprinkle a pinch of confectioners' sugar over each pie to serve. allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.