A Parcel of Pralines
Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 4:00AM 
My great aunt’s recipe box, which I inherited, is filled with many treasures but there is only one recipe that tells an unforgettable story.
The year was 1942. The Japanese had just bombed Pearl Harbor and World War II was in full swing. Aunt Lucile and Uncle Harry had been married only a short while before he was swiftly swept up in the draft and shipped off to war.
Letters from homesick soldiers were pouring in to American women on the home front. Their men were in need of basic items in short supply like blankets, socks, soap, aspirin and toothpaste. But Harry’s letters to Lucile were very different. He was a steadfast sort who worried less about blankets and socks and more about the saintly pleasures of home. He begged for something near and dear to his heart…her homemade pralines.
Lucile worked fast and furiously to get pralines to him. The women were told to pack fragile items in popcorn, not the foam popcorn we know today, but popped corn. So over the course of the next three years, Lucile went to work perfecting her recipe, carefully packaging the delectable treat, and shipping it to such faraway places as northern Africa and Italy where Harry was stationed.
Today, I made these pralines for my boys and shared the story of Harry’s letters. I told them how other soldiers begged for clothing and toiletries while Harry begged for pralines. And together, we discovered there’s no better way to celebrate the family table than sharing food, even when we can’t be together.
Something tells me my boys will be begging for them again soon.
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Harry’s Pralines
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cream
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 stick (2 tablespoons) butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups pecans
In a large, tall pot, over medium heat, combine sugar, cream and buttermilk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil. Add soda and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until soft ball stage (approximately 234 to 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer). Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla and cool for 5 minutes.
Add pecans. Beat with a wooden spoon for 2 to 3 minutes. Quickly drop by tablespoons onto wax paper. Let stand until firm.
Note: The praline mixture will be very hot; Work very carefully to prevent burning yourself and do not work with small children present.
Makes about 3 dozen
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