- 1 cup all purpose flour, preferably unbleached, plus extra for surfaces
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Scant ½ cup lukewarm water
- ½ pound pea tendrils or other leafy greens (see headnote)
- ¼ cup grated onion
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- Pinch of cayenne
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Peanut oil for deep-frying (2 to 4 cups)
- Make the dough an hour or more before you wish to fry the breads. Place the flour and salt in a food processor and pulse briefly to mix. With the blade running, slowly add the lukewarm water through the feed tube until a ball of dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for several minutes, until smooth and elastic. Let rest, covered with plastic wrap, for at least 30 minutes, or as long as 12 hours.
- Meanwhile, prepare the filling: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the pea tendrils and stir with a wooden spoon to push them into the water so they are all immersed. Cook until tender, 4 to 6 minutes (timing will depend on the thickness of the pea tendrils, or other greens). Drain well in a colander and let cool for a moment.
- Place the greens on a cutting board and chop them with a cleaver or chef’s knife, chopping first in one direction at ¼-inch intervals and then in the other direction until finely chopped (you should have a generous 1 cup packed chopped greens). Place the greens in a bowl, add the onion, cumin, cayenne, and salt, and use a fork to blend well. Set aside. If you make the filling more than 20 minutes ahead, a little liquid will drain from it; pour this excess off and press the filling to squeeze out any remaining liquid before placing the filling in the dough.
- Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface. Cut it in half and set one half aside. Cut the other half into 6 equal pieces, by cutting it in half and then cutting each half into 3 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball between your lightly floured palms, then lightly flatten into a disk and flour both sides. Set aside while you shape the remaining dough, to give a total of 12 disks.
- With your fingertips or a rolling pin, flatten one disk out to a 4-inch round. Repeat with 5 more dough disks. Place 1 slightly rounded tablespoon filling in the center of one round. Fold the dough over to make a half-moon shape and press the edges together to seal in the filling. To ensure that the seal holds, pinch all along the edge, twisting slightly with each pinch. Flatten the bread gently with the palm of your hand, to push the filling out to the seam, and then set on a parchment-lined or lightly floured baking sheet or work surface. Repeat with the remaining rolled-out rounds, then repeat with the remaining 6 dough disks and filling. Set aside while you ready your deep-frying arrangement.
- Place a large wok or deep pot on the stovetop (or use a deep-fryer); make sure that your wok or pot is stable. Pour in 1½ to 2 inches of oil (3 inches or more if using a deep-fryer) and heat the oil over medium-high heat. Put out a slotted spoon or mesh skimmer. To test the temperature of the oil, hold a wooden chopstick vertically in the oil, with the end touching the bottom of the pot. If bubbles come bubbling up along the chopstick, the oil is at temperature. The oil should not be smoking; if it is, turn the heat down slightly and wait a moment for it to cool, then test again with the chopstick. (A deep-fry thermometer should read 325° to 350°F.)
- Slide one half-moon into the oil, wait a moment, and then slide in a second. The oil will bubble up around them. After about 30 seconds, use the slotted spoon or skimmer to gently turn them over. Continue to cook until they are a rich golden brown all over, 50 seconds to 1 minute. Lift them out of the oil, pausing to let excess oil drain off, then place on a plate or rack. Repeat with the remaining half-moons in batches until all are cooked.
- Serve hot or warm (we also love the texture of room-temperature half-moons).