POTATO-BASED PLUM DUMPLINGS; SLIVKOVÉ KNEDLE, SLOVAKIA, Regions, Slovakia
Yukon Gold Potatoes
Unripe and Ripe Lemon Plums
Flour, Egg Yolks, Salt
Sugar in Raw, Roasted Breadcrumbs
Ingredients
Yukon Gold Potatoes – 600 grams (boiled and peeled)
All Purpose Flour – 200 grams + extra flour for rolling out the dough
Egg Yolks – 2
Salt – 1/2 teaspoon
Lemon Plums – 6
Sugar in Raw – 15 grams
Breadcrumbs – 15 grams
Slivkové Knedle – The Slivkové Knedle is a traditional dessert prepared in Slovakia, Czech Republic and other countries in Europe. The Slivkové Knedle are dumplings made with boiled potatoes, flour, egg and salt, stuffed with fresh plums and shaped into balls. The Slivkové Knedle are boiled and then usually served with melted butter and breadcrumbs. Slivkové Knedle, prepared in different European countries, may be served with sugar, cinnamon or sour cream. During our travel to the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia, we enjoyed a dinner at the Furkotka Restaurant that serves a regional Slovak cuisine. In our recipe, we use Lemon Plums, the tear-drop shaped plums, grown primarily in Chile. Lemon Plums are yellow and tart when unripe and are red, juicy and sweet when fully ripe. Our gnocchi-style dough is made with Yukon Gold Potatoes, versatile potatoes with a yellow flesh, a waxy texture and a wonderful flavor. Our Slivkové Knedle are lightly sweet and absolutely delicious.
Pitted Lemon Plums
Making Slivkové Knedle
Slivkové Knedle
Slovakia, Slivkové Knedle
Preparation Method
Step 1 – Boil the potatoes with the skins on, let them cool down, then peel and mash the potatoes with a potato press to achieve a smooth texture. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, flour, egg yolks and salt, then knead the dough lightly. Cut the dough into 6 equal pieces, then knead each piece with extra flour. Roll out each piece of the dough into circles, slightly larger than the plum’s size.
Step 2 – Select the Lemon Plums when red and lightly ripened but still firm. Cut each plum lengthwise on one side, keep the other side connected and gently remove the pit.
Step 3 – In a large pot, heat the water before you start shaping the dumplings. Place the plum in the middle of the dough piece, wrap the dough around the plum and seal the dough at the top while still sticky. Sprinkle a little flour and shape the round dumplings. Place the dumpling onto a floured board. Note: The dough around the plums should be relatively thin.
Step 4 – Place the dumplings into the boiling water and gently move them around so they do not stick to the bottom. Reduce the heat to medium when the dumpling start floating and boil the dumplings for around 10 minutes.
Step 5 – In a skillet, roast the breadcrumbs by themselves until golden-brown. Remove the dumplings from the water and place on individual plates. Sprinkle each dumpling and individual plates with a bit of breadcrumbs and sugar in raw. Enjoy the slightly savory and sweet Slivkové Knedle.