I would like to introduce you to our series sharing Food Holidays: June 23rd, 2022. Did you know today is National Pralines Day. I don’t know about you but I love purchasing Pralines after having Mexican or Tex-Mex food for lunch or dinner. If you ask me I believe its time to go get both and Mexican Inn would be the perfect place to visit. Would you like to go to lunch or dinner with me?
National Pralines Day is on June 24th and the holiday celebrates a Nut-based creamy confection that can be enjoyed in an assortment of ways. Pralines are a smooth and sweet treat made with Nuts, Sugar, and sometimes Cream. Pralines can be used in Cookies, Candy, and as a Paste and Pralines are often made with Pecans or Almonds. The name is believed to have been inspired by French Sugar industrialist and French diplomat César, duc de Choiseul, comte du Plessis-Praslin who used a powder called pralin made by grinding Sugar-coated Nuts.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL PRALINES DAY
During the Seventeenth Century, France’s Marshal du Plessis-Praslin was responsible for the fame and name of the Praline, but many believe that it was his Chef, Clement Lassagne who was the true creator.
In one account, the idea for Pralines came from Lassagne’s children who snacked on the leftover Almonds and Caramel from earlier culinary projects which inspired the idea. In another, the children had Caramelized Almonds over a candle and Lassagne followed the scent and discovered the magic of the mixture. In yet another, Lassagne’s apprentice accidentally knocked a container of Almonds into a vat of cooking Caramel.
Pralines were brought over from France to New Orleans by Ursuline nuns in 1727. The Nuns oversaw young women called casket girls who, under the request of Bienville, were meant to marry New Orleans’ Colonists. The casket girls were taught the art of Praline making along with academics and domestic work for the purpose of becoming good wives to the settlers. Pralines became part of the local tradition in New Orleans, and now Pralines are an essential part of Creole Cuisine. I would have never thought that as I associate Pralines with Mexican or Te-Mex food. How about you?
In the Nineteenth Century, the ingredients switched from almonds to pecans because of their availability in New Orleans, and cream was used to thicken the texture. Women in the French Quarter who sold Pralines were called Pralinieres and selling Pralines gave free people of color job opportunities when work was limited. Instead of being indentured servants or kept-women, women of lesser means were given more autonomy thanks to this alternate avenue of income. Praline expanded into other parts of the Country and Pralines became popular in Texas and Georgia as a favored Southern confection, but Pralines all began in The Big Easy.
Pralines haven’t changed much from their original form and the ingredients still consist of Pecans, Dairy, and Sugar, and some have added Vanilla or Maple for more flavor. People have experimented with Pralines in many different ways, but the original Praline is still just as loved as it was back then. The creamy sweetness of Pralines still holds its own amongst many other tasty treats.
I would like to ask you a question. Did you know that originally Praline was roughly a sweet confection made of Almonds and Caramelized coating? Not Pecans? I didn’t.
Food Facts of Pralines:
- Praline is a type of candy made from Nuts and Sugar Syrup, whether in whole pieces or a ground powder.
- Although the stories surrounding the creation of Pralines differ, it is widely agreed that Pralines are named after the French diplomat from the early 17th Century whose name and title was César, duc de Choiseul, comte du Plessis-Praslin.
- French settlers brought this recipe of Pralines to Louisiana, where both Sugar Cane and Pecan Trees were plentiful. During the 19th Century, New Orleans Chefs substituted Pecans for Almonds, added Cream to thicken the confection, and thus created what became known throughout the American South as the Praline.
- In New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast, where there are many communities settled by the French, the pronunciation is prah-leen, with the long aaah sound. Other regions of the Country, including parts of Texas, Georgia, and New England have anglicized the term and pronounce it pray-leen.
- In Europe, Praline has evolved to an entirely different candy altogether. In Belgium and France, Praline is a smooth paste of Cocoa blended with finely ground Nuts and used to fill Chocolate Bon-Bons, but when it came to New Orleans the Praline took another road.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL PRALINES DAY
- =The best way to celebrate National Pralines Day is to make Pralines yourself! You could go to a confectionary and learn the art of creating Pralines and once finished you’ll feel like a true French Chef putting all the ingredients together. Once you get the hang of it, you can experiment with some of your favorite flavors.
- If you want a professional to do the work for you, visit a Pastry shop and taste Pralines prepared by people who know exactly what they’re doing. Ask the Pastry Chef about Pralines and which ones would be best to try. =
- If you can get away a trip might be in order to truly appreciate Pralines American origins. Learning about the history of Pralines on a walking tour in New Orleans’ French Quarter, the birthplace of Pralines in the United States.
5 FACTS ABOUT NATIONAL PRALINES DAY
- Chef Lassagne opened a sweet shop in France called the Maison du Praslin that’s still around today.
- Did you know there is three main types of Pralines including Belgian Pralines, French Pralines, and American Pralines.
- Belgian Pralines have a hard Chocolate shell with a softer, or liquid filling.
- Belgian Pralines are also called Belgian Chocolates, Belgeian Choclate Fondants, and Chocolate Bonbons.
- In New Orleans, Pralines may be called Pecan Candy.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL PRALINES DAY
- Pralines are more of a treat, but that doesn’t mean Pralines are any less deserving. Learning more about Pralines expands our culinary boundaries instead of just sticking to our favorite treats. Today is the day to put down Cookies and try Pralines!
- Did you know Pralines are a part of New Orleans’ history and have changed New Orleans cultural landscape? With the arrival of the French Ursuline Nuns and their casket girls, Pralines became a tradition that’s embedded in the heart of New Orleans, adding more culture to an already culturally-rich place.
- It’s no small feat that the selling of Pralines offered free women of color in the Nineteenth Century the opportunity to have a job when their options were limited. Selling Pralines gave them a source of income and more independence than many other places and that shouldn’t be ignored.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
