Maple candy was the great attraction of Shrove Tuesday, because this was the day for la tire (the maple candy pull). In several areas, people wore costumes and went from house to house collecting sugar and molasses for the candy pull. When evening arrived, the families of those who had collected the ingredients assembled for la tire. Since all of the candy had to be consumed before midnight, the beginning of Lent, people ate to the point of being sick.
ingredients
directions
Mix all ingredients in a heavy pot and boil without stirring so that the candy does not turn into sugar. Simmer until a small amount of the mixture hardens when dropped into cold water.
Pour the mixture onto 2 well-buttered plates. Allow the candy to cool, without hardening completely. Join the two pieces together and pull the candy until it becomes very stiff. Twist the candy into a rope and cut it into ½-inch (¼-cm) pieces with buttered scissors. Store in a cold place.