Denison Herald December 19, 1976 "Sweet Christmas Tradition" by Pat-Welch Hamilton, Herald Women's Editor Tradition is at an all time high during the holidays for the Giarraputos, a pioneer Denison family, which spends the month of December making candy. Tony and Russell Giarraputo, brothers, carry on the tradition started many years ago by their father, who operated "Tony's Palm Gardens," a candy store.  The equipment used is the same that was put into service in Denison at the turn of the century and the dad's original recipes are still used. All of the candy is made from the same base. Candy making is as much a part of Christmas for the Giarraputos as Santa Claus is to children. Each year the candy cane season begins when the solid brass pot is placed on an antique stove. Into the kettle are dumped sugar and glucose. The mixture is cooked until it reaches the proper temperature while the candy chef is stirring constantly. Meanwhile the marble slab table has been greased and is ready. It takes 2 people to pour the mixture onto the slab and the steel bars are used to keep the mixture from running off the table. Then the mixture is briskly folded again and again until the right consistency is reached. Peppermint is added and later the red and green coloring to separate mixtures. One mixture is left white for the candy cane effect. Then one of the family members hoists the long braid type of mixture over a large hook and works it until it is just right. Then it is flipped onto the slab where it is quickly shaped into a huge round edged rectangular shape. The red, green and white strips are then stripped into the mixture. The candy is placed in front of a gas batch heater, and molded into lengths to be cut and quickly shaped into candy canes. They are cooled and placed on trays.   "Pillow" making comes next, instead of cutting the rolled candy, it is kept in the large size and placed in a cutter. This is a hand operated antique from the old store. Then the top is bashed down and the cutter crimps the candy. Seconds later it has cooled and dropped on the trays to be separated. The ribbon making is last. Instead of rolling the candy mixture, it is flattened out and cut and bents into "S" shapes.  Hundreds of people in Denison and throughout the area have shared in the Giarraputo family tradition and will continue to do so with Giarraputo children who are all expert at the art that has come become so much a part of their lives.  An evening of candy making usually ends up in the kitchen of Mrs. Tony (Margie) Giarraputo where the aroma of just baked pizzas, bread, and other delicacies are served to guests. Her home that looks much like Christmas land with every room decorated for the occasion. It's a great tradition and a great evening for anyone who participates.  Biography Index Italian American Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |
