Old South Pralines - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. Imperial sugar
1 tsp. soda
1 c. buttermilk
1/8 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
2 1/2 c. pecan halves

Preparation

In large 3 1/2-quart heavy saucepan combine sugar, soda, buttermilk and salt.
Cook over high heat about 5 minutes.
Stir often and scrape bottom of pan.
Mixture will foam up.
Add butter or margarine and 2 cups pecan halves.
Over medium heat, continue cooking, stirring constantly and scraping bottom and sides of pan until candy reaches soft ball stage.
Remove from heat and cool slightly about 2 minutes.
Beat with spoon until thick and creamy.
Drop from tablespoon onto sheet of aluminum foil or waxed paper.
Let cool.
Decorate with remaining pecan halves.
Makes about 20 (2-inch) pralines.