12 sm Apricots; -=OR=-
6 lg -Apricots, halved
12    Whole almonds
2 tb White rum
1/2 c  Unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 c  Cornstarch
3 tb Sugar
1/2 ts Salt
1/2 ts Cinnamon
1/2 ts Baking powder
1/2 c  Water; plus
1 tb Water
3 tb Melted butter
1 1/2 qt Vegetable oil; for frying
Confectioners sugar

RINSE THE APRICOTS, slit the sides and remove the pits with a small spoon,
leaving the apricots intact. Replace each pit with an almond. Place the
apricots in a bowl and sprinkle the slit sides with the rum. For the
batter, combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and whisk in the water, then
the melted butter. Pour the oil into a 4-quart pan and heat it to 350F.
With a fork, dip the apricots into the batter and add to the hot oil 3 or 4
at a time, frying them about 6 or 7 minutes, until the batter is a deep
golden and the apricots are cooked, but still firm. Drain the fritters on
absorbent paper as they are fried and keep them warm in a 300F oven. To
serve, sprinkle the fritters generously with confectioners sugar.