1 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour

2 1/4 teaspoons double-acting baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup shortening

2/3 cup sugar

3/4 teaspoon grated lemon rind

1 beaten egg -- * see note

1 cup ripe banana pulp -- * see note

1/2 cup broken nutmeats

1/4 cup finely chopped dried apricots

Preheat oven to 350. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Blend shortening, sugar and lemon rind until creamy. Beat in eggs and banana. Add the sifted ingredients in about 3 parts to the sugar mixture. Beat the batter after each addition until smooth. Fold in nuts and apricots. Place the batter in a greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 loaf pan. Bake the bread about 1 hour or until done. Cool before slicing.