Mrs. Amy Harlow Waterman

“ When Betsey began to add nuts, raisins, figs, dates, marshmallows or marshmallow cream to the different kinds of fudges, mother at first thought it unnecessary to re-write the quantities and directions, but Betsey exclaimed, "Why, mother, it will be so much easier if I have each recipe written out all by itself, then I won't need to keep referring back!" ”

“ The sugar, water and vinegar were measured carefully into the saucepan, well mixed, then placed upon the stove to boil. One thing in particular that Betsey learned from her own experience was never to let any candy she was making boil too hard; an even steady boil made the candy much nicer, and, besides, it did not then "spit" all over the stove and make the unpleasant odor of burned sugar in the house. ”

“ Use more home salted nuts this Christmas than in previous years. Peanuts, pecans or almonds, if prepared in olive oil, will not go begging.
To candy orange or grape-fruit peel means the use of some sugar, it is true, but less than for its equivalent in candy, and you are using up what would otherwise be thrown away.
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A wider use of maple sugar as a sweet this fall and winter will be a helpful conservation measure. Every one with even one maple tree in his yard should tap it and boil his own syrup. Every little bit helps. ”

“ It is splendid to make comfort kits and pack hampers of gifts for the soldier-boys, but saving the sugar used to make your Christmas candies and in your own home is not only making them a Christmas gift but is putting punch into the right arm of your country's defenders. And their right [137] arm is of more importance just now than your sweet tooth.
There are all sorts of substitutes such as stuffed dates, candied ginger, fruit pastes and salted nuts. ”

“ Using a shallow cake tin, Betsey poured in a little olive oil (for those who do not like olive oil, a small piece of butter may be used) , added [125] the peanuts, put in a hot oven and cooked to a light golden brown.
When done she emptied the peanuts on to a piece of brown paper (this soaked up the extra oil or butter) and sprinkled lightly with salt.
Salted Almonds
These Betsey blanched as she did the peanuts by pouring boiling water over the almonds for at least a minute. ”

“ Put apricots and dates through meat chopper and proceed with the proportions as given.
Fruit Butter
Chop together equal parts of stoned raisins, dates and figs and add (after weighing) nuts equal in weight to the whole. The nuts may be mixed according to convenience and taste, as one part of black and white walnuts, pecans, almonds, peanuts, hazel or Brazil nuts. In general nuts grown in the locality should be used. Mix thoroughly and pack in a mold for slicing. ”

“ Add nuts and cherries cut in small pieces and spread half an inch thick on a pan or slab sprinkled with confectioner's sugar. When firm, cut in bars 11⁄2 inches long and 1⁄2 inch wide. If desired, dip in melted chocolate. ”

“ Letting these stand a minute or two until they were easy to separate, she then drained off the water and spread the raisins on a towel, gently patting them, until all the water was absorbed. Next she cut them in halves. ”

“ Father was glad to agree and Betsey was delighted and proud to think he thought her capable enough.
This enabled Betsey to form a general supply fund with which to purchase extras in the way of different kinds of nuts, candied cherries, dates, figs, raisins, etc. ”