Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Now This Is Different...!


We hear stories all the time about how the pioneers had to make do with what they had. Certainly that posed a real problem at holiday time, and led to some outstanding recipes!

When they were forced into making do and using what ever was available, our forefathers could get pretty creative! This is just one way to make some special treats, using leftovers and stuff from the pantry!

I have to admit, this recipe sounds a little strange at first...but it turns out pretty good! Why not give it a try?

Pioneer Mashed Potato Candy

Ingredients:
1 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup mashed cooked potatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 pounds confectioners' sugar
2/3 cup shredded coconut

Directions:
1. In the top of a double boiler, heat chocolate, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and smooth.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine the potato, salt and vanilla. Sift the confectioners sugar over potato, stirring and adding about 1 cup at a time. Mixture will liquefy when first sugar is added then gradually begin to thicken.

3. When it becomes the consistency of stiff dough, knead it even though not all the sugar has been added.

4. After kneading, cover with a damp cloth and chill until a small spoonful can be rolled into a ball. Shape in small 1/2 inch balls. Dip balls in melted chocolate then roll in peanuts or coconut.


Hey...I don't know about you, but I'll eat nearly ANYTHING that has chocolate on it! Please notice that I said NEARLY anything...but I do have limits, ya know?

Now, my friends, let's get some fresh coffee and sit outside! Chocolate mashed potatoes anyone...?

22 comments:

Kyddryn said...

Well, Mister Hermit, sir...if it has both chocolate AND coconut in it...I might just try it. Add caramel, and I may not be able to resist...

Shade and Sweetwater,
K (who had a lovely Yule, thank you!)

Cygnus MacLlyr said...

Hamsters, Uncle. Draw the line at hamsters covered in duct tap.. erm, I mean, chocolate...

HermitJim said...

Hey K...
See...I knew that there was a reason I liked you! A woman after my own heart!

Glad you all had a great Yule!

Thanks for coming by today, my friend!

HermitJim said...

Hey Cygnus...
Guess you survived the trip ok, huh?

Bugs! I don't do BUGS! Chocolate or not, no bugs or ants or beetles or...

Thanks for dropping in this morning!!

Felinae said...

Now Uncle Hermit, that sounds really interesting.

I wonder, does it come out with the texture of a truffle? I just may have to try this.

Thanks for sharing :D

Hugs~Felinae~

HermitJim said...

Hey Felinae...
ake my word for it...you would never know it was made from mashed potatoes! My cousin used to make this, and as best I remember it was pretty good!

Funny how thi time can bring out a lot of different memories, isn't it?

Hey, thanks for stopping by today!

xox-Missi Mi-xox said...

Well someone would have to blindfold me and feed it to me BEFORE telling me what was in it ... chocolate and potato .... umlike the normal people Im no huge chocolate fan but love my mash potato and well I just cant seem to wrap the taste buds and imagination around this one ...

I do love your recipes though, you have the most interesting collection Ive ever witnessed.

You can have the chocolate .. just gimme tomato sauce and sausages to go with my mash ;-) ..... failing that I bought more coffee for us to share :-)

Hope you having great holiday season

xox-Missi-xox

DianeLynn said...

Sounds delicious. You talk about the Pioneers...I just did a post on my own bit of history. It is long...but hey it is what it is. Have a beautiful Christmas okay?

HermitJim said...

Hey Missi...
Thanks for the kind words about the recipes! Don't worry, I won't make you eat them...

Glad to see you blogging again, my friend!


Hey Diane-Sage...
I'll jump right over and check out your post! I go there every day, you know.

You have a great Christmas also, my friend! Thanks for coming by!

Bellen said...

My French Canadian neighbors called it Canadian Potato Candy and my DIL's relatives called it Maine Potato Candy. Whatever the name, it really is good.

JoJo said...

Good Morning My Special Friend, I don't know that I want to try this one, but hey it might be really good. You sure do bring new recipes to your blog. Most are great as long as they are not to much work lol I am not big on the kitchen since becoming an empty nester. But with the holiday's some kitchen prep stuff is in order. Want to buy the stuff for recipes from yesterday they sound yummie.
Coffee please.

HermitJim said...

Hey Bellen...
Guess some recipes know no boundries!

I agree...it does taste good!

hey, thanks for coming by today!


Hey JoJo...
Go on...you know you want to try it! How are we ever going to gross out the grand kids if you don't make something they like to eat until they find out what's in it?

Sweetie, thanks so much for coming by today!

Rae said...

I have heard of this recipe before. Those pioneers sure were creative. You can never go wrong with chocolate though.

HermitJim said...

Hey Rae...
I couldn't agree more about the chocolate! Sure does make me feel good...but that's the point!

Hey, I sure do appreciate you coming by today!

JoJo said...

OK that may be a good reason to try this. Right now got the peppers and onions cooking so that the tastes all grow together making it taste so much better, sausage gets cooked on Christmas day for hot serving.

chinasyndrome said...

Mashed potatoe part does sound weird but I'm with you choc make about anything good! Merry Christmas!

womanwisdom said...

HI uncleHermitJim! Thanks for that recipe with CHOCOLATE!!!!! i'd devour anything with choco!

have been super busy these days! hope you're havin' a great holiday! from me, mom and daughter :)))


weena

HermitJim said...

Hey China...
It doe hae a way of dressing up just about anything, doesn't it?

AAHHH...chocolate! What would Winter be without hot chocolate...and the holidays be without all the chocolate desserts?

Thanks so much for stopping by!


Hey Weena...
I've been wondering where you were! I was afraid maybe you had some more bad weather or something!

I'm glad you are staying busy...and I hope you, Mom, and the daughter all have a great holiday!

I really do appreciate you coming by again!

The cottage by the Cranelake said...

Like You I eat almost anything with or covered with chocolate :-) I´ve never heard abot this though :-) Think I´ll try that now during my Christmas vacation :-)
Have a great day now!
Christer.

HermitJim said...

Hey Christer...
You'll have to try it and let me know what you think!

I'll wager that if you tell your friends about this recipe, they will say "What is that crazy Texan thinking of?"

It would be interesting to make it, and not tell anyone what it was made from until after they tried it. The expression on their faces might be fun to watch!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Andrea said...

My mom and grandma made a potato candy with a mashed potato-powdered sugar dough that they rolled flat, spread with peanut butter and sliced jelly-roll style. Believe it or not, it's melt in your mouth delicious and one of those sweets that's asked for every year!

HermitJim said...

Hey Andrea...
Sounds like a good idea for me! I'm willing to try nearly anything once!

Thanks for the visit!