Step 1

Place dried apples in a bowl and cover with enough water to cover. Set aside and soak for 3 hours.

Step 2

Place ham piece in large pot that has a tight-fitting lid. Add enough water to just cover meat and simmer 1-1/2 to 2 hours covered.

Step 3

When ham is tender, remove from pot, pull ham from the bone, and cut into cubes, return to pot and add the onion and dried apples along with the water in which the apples were soaked.

Step 4

Add the brown sugar and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes OR until apples are tender.  When apples are tender, make the knepp.

Step 5

For the knepp: In a bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper.

Step 6

In another bowl, mix egg and milk well, then add to dry ingredients.  Drizzle in the melted shortening and mix just enough to dampen dry ingredients.

Step 7

With the ham broth in the pot boiling, drop the dumpling batter (knepp) from a table spoon on to the boiling broth.  Cover tightly, reduce heat but keep the broth bubbling lightly and cook 18 to 20 minutes without lifting lid.

Step 8

Serve hot with broth.