Rhubarb Dumplings with Strawberry Sauce (Rabarbarini štruklji z jagodno omako)

Rhubarb is a dessert vegetable (yes, a vegetable, not a fruit!) that comes into season in late March to early April and sticks around until the beginning of June. In this štruklji recipe rhubarbs pairs with strawberry, which balances rhubarb's tartness with sweetness.

Recipe

Ingredients:

Dough

• 250 g flour

• 25 g melted butter

• 90 ml water

• 1/2 tbsp vinegar

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 egg

Rhubarb Filling

• 600 g rhubarb

• 50 g butter

• 50 g bread crumbs

• 100 g sugar

• 2 eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla paste

Strawberry Sauce

• 700 g strawberries

• 100 g sugar (or to taste)

• 50 ml water

• 2 tsp vanilla paste

Instructions:

Dough

1. Mix water, vinegar, and salt in a cup.

2. Place flour in a mixing bowl and make a well in the center.

3. Drizzle in melted butter, the vinegar-water mixture and add the egg.

4. Knead the dough by hand or using a mixer until the dough is soft and elastic, about 10 minutes. It should not stick to your hands.

5. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for at least 30 minutes.

Filling

1. Chop the rhubarb.

2. Melt the butter over medium heat and add the bread crumbs. Fry them until they are golden.

3. Add the rhubarb and continue frying until it softens.

4. Remove from heat and once it cools down a little, mix in eggs, sugar and vanilla paste.

Making štruklji

1. Split the dough into three on a tablecloth.

2. Roll out and then stretch each piece into a 30x50 cm rectangle.

3. Cut the ends where the dough is thicker on all sides.

4. Spread the filling evenly over the dough.

The pictures only depict the steps (the filling is different).

5. Roll up the dough using your tablecloth as in the picture.
6. Seal the ends.
7. Place each štrukelj on a cloth napkin.
8. Wrap the štrukelj and tie both ends of each cloth with an elastic band.
9. Put štruklji into a pan of slightly salted boiling water, cover the pan and cook them for about 30 minutes. Take out and let stand for about 10 minutes before unwrapping.

Strawberry Sauce

1. Put sliced strawberries, sugar and water into a medium saucepan. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.

2. Reduce heat and simmer until sauce is thickened, about 20 minutes.

Serving štruklji

1. Unwrap the cloth and cut each štrukelj into slices.

2. Arrange the slices on a plate, and sprinkle with a little bit of cinnamon and sugar.

3. Serve with the strawberry sauce.

4. To reheat, cover štruklji with a wet paper towel and microwave for a few minutes.