Old South Pralines - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 c. sugar
1 tsp. soda
1 c. buttermilk
2 Tbsp. 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 (or to 210\u00b0 on candy thermometer).
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 of pan, until candy reaches 234\u00b0 on thermometer.
Remove from heat and cool slightly, about 2 minutes. Beat with spoon until thick and creamy.
Drop from tablespoons onto waxed paper.
Let cool.
Top each candy with remaining pecan halves.
Makes about 20 pralines, 2-inches in diameter.