Kip's Cookery

Needhams

Needhams are a traditional Maine confection, a coconut candy rarely found outside the state. Usually the only way to find it is to buy it on line for exorbitant prices. It sounds like Mounds bar, but they are richer and more solid. They are great to have around or give as gifts during the Holidays.

There is a lot more to traditional Maine cooking than baked beans and Lobster Rolls but only one name in it. That is Marjorie Standish. Her Cooking Down East books are a standard in any Native household with a kitchen worth its salt. This is her recipe:

- 3/4 cup mashed potato (yes, potato)

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

~ 2 (1-pound) packages confectioners’ sugar

~ 1 stick margarine or butter

~ 1/2 + (I like coconut so I add more)  pound flaked coconut

~ 2 teaspoons vanilla

Peel and cook potato to make 3/4 cup mashed potato (not seasoned). Add salt. Using a double boiler, place stick of margarine or butter in it and melt over boiling water. Add mashed potato, confectioners’ sugar, flaked coconut, and vanilla. 

Mix well then turn into a buttered jelly roll pan. Spread evenly (should be around 3/4 of an inch thick) Place in a cool place to harden. Do not let them sit too long, such as leaving them overnight. They will dry out. When hard, or at least hard enough to hold together, cut into small squares.

Then dip in the following chocolate mixture.

Chocolate Dip:

~ 1 (12-ounce) package chocolate bits

~ 4 squares unsweetened chocolate/bakers chocolate.

~1/2 cake paraffin/jelly wax (2 1/2 -by- 2 1/2) (Yes, the same paraffin you melt to use on top of jelly)

(I know this sounds weird, but I have tried it without and the chocolate doesn't set very well. Makes them messy to eat. I don't use as much as she recommends, but it is necessary and it does not affect the flavor of the chocolate much.)

Use double boiler again. Place paraffin in top over boiling water to melt. Then add the two kinds of chocolate. Allow chocolate to melt. Stir well to mix ingredients.

A toothpick or cake tester (or a fork) may be used to dip the Needham squares. Hold each square above chocolate mixture after dipping so the square drains well. Place on waxed paper to harden. Recipe will make 60 good-size Needhams.