MEGAN’S KITCHEN RECIPES: ‘MAINE POTATO CANDIES.’ As a busy farmer, Megan doesn’t have time to make these ‘Maine Potato Candies’ very often. But it’s a good day when she does.
Also known as ‘Needhams,’ the widespread belief in these parts is that Maine Potato Candies originated here in the Potato country of Northern Maine. You’ll often find recipes for ‘Needhams’ in old time Maine cookbooks. And what could be better and richer than chocolate, coconut and potatoes! Megan, Caleb & Jim
3/4 cup of mashed ‘Elba’ (or equivalent) potatoes
2 lbs of powdered Sugar
1/4 lb of butter
1/2 pound flaked coconut (about 2+ cups)
2 tsp vanilla
Pare, cook and mash the potatoes to make 3/4 cup. In a double broiler on top of the stove, melt the butter over boiling water. Add the mashed potato, powdered sugar, flaked coconut and vanilla. Mix well. Spread the mixture evenly in a buttered cookie sheet. Place in a cool place to harden – such as a cool garage. When hard, cut the mixture into small squares for dipping in the chocolate.
Chocolate Dip
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cake paraffin wax
Melt the paraffin in the bowl of a double broiler. Add the chocolates and melt. Stir well. Dip the Needham squares in the chocolate with a toothpick and place on waxed paper to harden. Makes 66 good-sized Needhams. The recipe may be cut in half.
