Apple Fritters

Makes 3 dozen
Eat these apple fritters hot with all the powdered sugar you can stand.

3     cups all-purpose flour
1/2     teaspoon salt
2     teaspoons baking powder
1/2     cup sugar
1     large egg
1     cup milk
1/4     cup butter or margarine, melted
2     teaspoons grated orange rind
1/4     cup fresh orange juice
2     cups diced cooking apple
1     teaspoon vanilla extract
Vegetable oil
Sifted powdered sugar

1 .  Combine first 4 ingredients; make a well in center of mixture.
2 .  Combine egg, milk, and butter, stirring well; stir in orange rind and next 3 ingredients. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.
3 .  Pour oil to a depth of 2 inches into a large Dutch oven; heat to 350°. Drop batter by rounded tablespoonfuls into hot oil; fry fritters in batches 1 1/2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain fritters well on paper towels, and cool slightly. Sprinkle with sifted powdered sugar.
Heart healthy