In my ongoing quest to make a Christmas candy that Olof’s family doesn’t find strange or disgusting, I happened upon a recipe for marzipan bonbons that just may do the trick. Myself, I hate marzipan–it’s too gooey-sweet–but this might be just up the in-laws’ alley! I think I’ll try to make the candies sometime in the next few days and pop them in the freezer. If they turn out to be good, I’ll post the recipe here.
Last year I made peanut brittle, fudge, and taffy, and my efforts left the Swedes in my life underwhelmed, to say the least. Don’t get me wrong, Olof’s family are troupers and they really give their best shot at whatever I offer up, but it’s not hard to see that it’s almost never to their liking. This year I bought a woman’s magazine that promised an article about “Grandma’s Best Christmas Candy,” and I was sure I’d find something there that I could whip up. Not so. I think I finally discovered why it is that Swedes don’t like the candy I make — it’s because they’re used to eating totally nasty, uninspired candy. Now, I love Sweden and I love Swedes, so I’m not trying to be disparaging, but come on! Since when is a chunk of chocolate-covered puffed rice (you know, that cheap, blah cereal that comes in a big plastic bag) some sort of tasty treat?! Or a big old ball of marzipan shaped into a Santa or a snowman? How on earth can those win out over homemade fudge and peanut brittle? The mind boggles.
At any rate, I’m beating them at their own game this year, and I’m making candy that I normally wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole. It’s sure to get rave reviews.
LOL Makes me wonder too!!!
Can’t you come and make you yummy candy at our place??? The fudge and the peanut brittle sounds just heavanly!!! (or is it the canadian heritage of my baby talking?? hehehe)
Ewww, marzipan. Gimme that peanut brittle anytime! My aunt always made popcorn balls every Xmas. I’ve tried to make them myself but they’re never as good. I miss them.
Ugh I totally agree!!!! I don’t see HOW anyone could turn down fudge.
Many Swedes seem to be frightened of taste sensation. *sigh*
rotfl!
I *love* marzipan. Heh. 🙂
But, I also love fudge and things like that. The more the yummier. =)
Merry Christmas! God Jul! 🙂
Aw, I wish I could invite all of you up for a Christmas fika and we could go crazy with my fudge and peanut brittle!
I don’t know about Swedes in general, but my in-laws seem not to like any food that has a really strong flavor, whether it be spicy, sweet, salty, what-have-you. I do have to say, though, that they’re so nice and brave, and do try everything I put before them. They even eat entire pieces of the kids’ sickenly sweet American-style birthday cakes, and they were wonderful at Thanksgiving last year, even though almost all the food was unfamiliar.
I did make the bonbons, by the way, and they’re terrific! I’ll post the recipe later on, as soon as I get it organized (I tweaked it a little from the original, and I need to write down the adjustments before I forget them!).