Hedghogs and Butterscotch

Many are the origin stories of butterscotch, beginning with the Yorkshire candy and “scotch” referring to “scorching” the butter or, archaically, to cutting the warm candy. Americans got hooked on butterscotch sauce on banana splits in the ‘50s. And in the ’70s Allison Spadone’s mom, Tally, was asked by her daughter to make the special sauce for teacher gifts. Thus, in 2017, Aunt Tatty’s Beautiful Butterscotch was born. Tally had her own story about the hedgehog connection: A housewife preparing butterscotch is covered in the sticky stuff, falls into a Christmas tree and looks like a hedgehog, covered with pine needles. But Allison’s first attempt at a hedgehog on the label was mistaken for a rat (!), and she quickly changed the drawing. Made with no preservatives and no emulsifiers, Aunt Tatty’s (it was young nephews who shifted “Tally” to “Tatty”) has a dark, rich flavor, with its requisite butter, brown sugar, vanilla and cream. Known for its luxurious drizzling on ice cream (try other flavors besides vanilla!), it’s also great on apples, pears, Bundt cakes, bananas Foster and even popcorn or pretzels.

Made at Hope & Main, Warren. Available at specialty markets and farmers markets or order online at AuntTatty.com.