Old-Fashioned Potato Candy

Ingredients:

1 cup mashed potatoes, cooled

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

2 tablespoons milk (optional)

4-5 cups powdered sugar, more for rolling

1/2 cup crushed peanuts or other nuts (optional)

Procedure:

In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, vanilla, and milk until smooth.

Gradually add in the powdered sugar, stirring continuously until a dough forms.

Mix in the crushed peanuts if using.

Dust a flat surface with powdered sugar and roll out the dough to about a quarter-inch thickness.

Cut into desired shapes using a knife or pizza cutter.

Place candies on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for a couple of hours or enjoy immediately.

Regardless of its origins - whether it's German, Irish, Russian, or Pennsylvania Dutch - the beauty of this candy lies in its simplicity and its testament to human ingenuity during hard times. It serves as a reminder that even when resources are limited, our ability to create joy remains boundless. The next time you have some leftover mashed potatoes, think about whipping up a batch of this sweet treat. It's not just a bite of candy; it's a bite of history.