Christmas Pusharatas

I recently discovered this Traditional Croatian Deep Fried Christmas Fritter.

A Pusharata is a bite-sized Nugget of Fried Dough with Chopped Fruit and Spices.

Here's what you'll need:
A Deep Fryer or a Large Cast Iron Dutch Oven.
A 1 3/4" Cookie Scoop. I measure the diameter of the Scoop.

2 - 3 inches of Vegetable Oil for Frying.
A Food Processor, Optional. The Fruit can be Processed or Chopped by Hand.

NOTE: Retain all of the Juice from the Fruit.

3 C Self Rising Flour
3/4 C Granulated Sugar, divided
1 TBS Baking Powder
1 TBS Ground Nutmeg
1 TBS Cinnamon
1 Large Apple, Peeled and Cored.
1 Large Naval Orange, Zested and then Peeled.
1 Large Lemon, Zested and then Peeled and Seeded.
1/2 C Raisins
1 1/2 C Chopped Pecans
1/2 TBS Whiskey
1/2 TBS Vanilla
1 - 2 C Whole Milk

Glaze:
2 Pounds of Confectioner's Sugar
Half and Half, enough to form a thick Glaze with the Confectioner's Sugar.


In a Mixing Bowl:
Flour
1/2 C Sugar
Baking Powder
Nutmeg
Cinnamon
Orange Zest
Lemon Zest
Whisk until well combined.

Chop the Fruit by Hand or Pulse it in a Food Processor but don't Puree it. Retain all of the Juice from the Fruit.

In a Mixing Bowl:
All of the Fruit and Juice.
Remaining Sugar.
Stir to Combine Well until Sugar is dissolved.
Add this to the Flour Mixture.
Stir to Combine Well.

Add:
Raisins
Pecans
Whiskey
Vanilla
Just enough Milk until it forms a thick Batter. It will depend on how juicy the Fruit is.
Stir to Combine until it has the consistency of This Oatmeal.

Set Aside for 15 minutes.

This is the Dutch Oven I use to Fry the Dough.

Heat 2 - 3 inches of Vegetable Oil.
Drop Scoops of the Batter into the Hot Oil (about 350 degrees)
Don't crowd them.
Drain them on Paper Towels.
Transfer to a Rack over a Sheet Pan to Glaze them.
Dip them in the Glaze and allow to Dry on the Rack.
Allow them to sit at Room Temperature Overnight to Dry completely.

They should be eaten Fresh and not stored in containers. The Glaze will soften.
You can place them in individual Candy or Miniature Muffins paper liners, box them and give as gifts.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!