Schlesisches Himmelreich

Schlesisches Himmelreich or Silesian heaven is a traditional dish originating from Silesia. It consists of smoked pork that is gently simmered with dried fruits such as pears, apples, and prunes. It's traditionally accompanied by kartoffelklöße potato dumplings that are simmered in the same pot until they float on top. The combination of smoky meats and tart, sweet-sour fruits was beloved in the past with the early Silesian settlers, but nowadays the dish is made just occasionally in very few households. There are a few variations on the dish – one uses stewed pie melon flavored with cinnamon, currants, and lemon rind instead of the stewed dried fruits, and another one served the pork with sweetened stewed quinces.