Easter Carrot Orange Cookies

For the Cookies:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 sheet pans. Place the carrots in a medium saucepan with water to cover and boil about 15 minutes until tender. Drain the carrots well then puree in a food processor(you should end up with about 1 cup puree). Cream together the shortening and sugar in a large bowl. Mix in the egg and vanilla. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add the flour mixture to the batter alternately with the carrot puree in 2 additions, beating after each addition. Stir in the walnuts. Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto the prepared pand, spacing about 1 inch apart. Bake the cookies about 20 minutes until springy and lightly browned.

For the Glaze:

Stir together the powdered sugar, orange juice and peel in a small bowl until smooth. Spread the glaze over the top of the warm cookies. Cool the cookies on a rack until the glaze sets.