3 lg. ripe purple plums, quartered and pitted (1/2 lb.)
2 tbsp. grape jam
2 tbsp. ketchup
1 tbsp. brandy
1/4 tsp. grated lemon peel
1 thin slice fresh ginger root
1 (1 lb.) pkg. bow-tie pasta
2 lg. eggs
4 c. fine fresh bread crumbs

Or 2 (9 oz.) pkg. refrigerated agnolotti, tortellini or cheese ravioli.

Make sauce. In food processor or electric blender, puree first 6 ingredients. Set aside.

If using bow-tie pasta, cook as package label directs. Drain; rinse with cold water. In large bowl, beat eggs until frothy. Add cooked bow-tie pasta or uncooked refrigerated agnolotti; toss until thoroughly coated with egg. Drain off excess egg.

Place bread crumbs in another large bowl; add prepared pasta. Toss until thoroughly coated with bread crumbs.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. In 5-quart Dutch oven, heat 2 to 3 inches salad oil to 375 degrees on deep-fat thermometer. Add 1/4 of prepared pasta; fry 6 minutes, or until deep golden brown. With slotted spoon, remove pasta to paper towel-lined jelly roll pan.

Place fried pasta in oven to keep warm while frying remaining prepared pasta, 1/4 at a time. Serve immediately with plum sauce as an appetizer. Makes 2 cups sauce, 5 cups pasta.