I saw this made on an episode of "Great British Menu." It interested me enough to ferret out a recipe for this old-time Scottish dumpling.
"Clootie" Dumpling 3 c. flour 1/2 c. sugar 1 c. raisins 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. cloves 1/2 c. molasses 1 c. buttermilk 1 c. suet (dry), chopped fine 1 c. grated carrots or 1 apple or applesauce 1 pkg. chopped dates (12 oz.) 1/2 tsp. ginger 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. baking soda, level Mix all together and wrap in cloth wrung out of boiling water, dusted with flour and tie with slight air space and put in boiling water, keeping at a rolling boil for 3 hours. Remove from boil and pat in place. Loosen tie and allow to cool. (Some put in oven - warm temperature - for a few minutes and then allow to cool.)