RHUBARB STRUDEL

Steps:

• Cover rhubarb with boiling water and let stand for 30 seconds, then drain thoroughly.
• Combine sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, walnuts, raisins and orange peel in a medium bowl.
• Add the rhubarb and stir just enough to mix all of the ingredients.
• Prepare 2 15" x 10" cookie sheets by brushing them liberally with melted, unsalted butter.
• Stack 10 of the phyllo sheets between 2 slightly damp tea towels.
• Remove 1 sheet, recovering the rest; place it on a prepared cookie sheet and brush with melted butter.
• Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of crushed gingersnaps evenly over the phyllo sheet.
• Top with a second phyllo sheet and repeat the process with the butter and gingersnaps.
• Repeat with 3 more sheets, brushing each with melted butter and sprinkling with crushed gingersnaps; 5 sheets make 1 strudel.
• Spread half of the rhubarb mixture in a 2" strip along the edge of one of the long sides of layered phyllo sheets.
• Roll up the pastry (all 5 layers) just enough to cover the rhubarb mixture.
• If the edge has dried out a bit, brush with a small amount of melted butter to make the pastry more flexible.
• To keep the filling in place, make a 1" fold along the top, bottom and remaining side of the pastry.
• Continue rolling up the strudel and arrange, seam side down, on a cookie sheet.
• Cover with a slightly damp cloth while making the second strudel.
• Repeat the entire process with the second strudel.
• Prick 4 holes along the top of each strudel.
• Bake the strudels in a preheated 375 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until crisp and evenly brown.
• Transfer to a wire rack and cool.
• While the strudel is warm, not hot, sprinkle with icing sugar, or once strudel has cooled, drizzle your favourite vanilla icing over each roll.
• Serve warm or cold with whipped cream.