Lokshen Kugel

This is the basic recipe.

1/2 pound broad noodles
2 quarts boiling water
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon or 1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons shortening
1/2 cup chopped seedless raisins
1/4 cup chopped almonds (optional)
3 tablespoons bread crumbs

Drop noodles in rapidly boiling salted water and cook until tender. Drain in a colander, pouring hot water through to rinse well. Beat eggs with sugar, cinnamon and salt and add the noodles. Melt shortening in the baking dish and add to mixture. Turn half the mixture into greased baking dish, sprinkle with raisins and nuts, and add remainder. Top with crumbs and bake 45 minutes at 400 degrees F.

Variations:
Substitute 1 cup thinly sliced tart apples for raisins, or combine equal amounts of each; use chopped greben (cracklings) and chicken or goose fat for shortening; substitute 1 cup finely cut dried prunes for other fruit, with or without nuts. Add lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon grated rind.