Struffoli

"These are what my family calls honey balls. We make them every Christmas season. They are messy but good!! Hope you enjoy them."

Ingredients
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
3 eggs
1 pinch salt
2 cups vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups honey
1/2 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons pine nuts (optional)
2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar


Directions
Sift flour. Make a well in center, and break eggs into it. Add salt, and knead until smooth.
Roll dough out on lightly floured board until 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 1/2 inch strips, and cut strips into tiny pieces 1/2 inch long.
With the palm of hands, shape these tiny pieces into balls the size of a filbert nut.
Heat oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Drop balls into oil 3 at a time. Fry until lightly browned, turning them constantly with a wooden spoon. Remove balls and drain them.
Combine honey and sugar in saucepan and boil over low flame about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add fried dough balls, 1 cup at a time, and cook in honey syrup, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Remove and put strufoli on flat plate to cool. Sprinkle with pine nuts and confectioners' sugar as soon as they are cool enough to handle, and mold about 5 together in a cluster. Enough for 8, or so. Strufoli will stay fresh for weeks if they are kept in a cool place