Boova Shenkel is a traditional dish originating from Pennsylvanian Dutch cuisine. The dish consists of a beef stew and potato dumplings that are essentially giant, oversized pierogis. The ingredients include beef, eggs, potatoes, flour, parsley or celery, lard, onions, butter, cubed bread, milk, white pepper, and salt.
The dumplings are boiled in the beef broth, then often pan-fried in butter. When served, the dish is usually topped with a beef gravy or brown butter sauce. Boova shenkel is typically served during the Lenten season before Easter. The name of the dish means
boys' legs, referring to the dumplings that resemble thick and short legs.