Gibraltar rock (candy)
Encyclopedia
Gibraltar rock, Gibraltars, or Gibralters are an old-fashioned candy associated with Salem, Massachusetts
.
An 1893 book about Salem calls Gibraltars, together with molasses "black-jacks," "two Salem institutions" and says She says the lemon flavor is preferred by youth, and the peppermint by the elderly, and quotes a "charming old Salem dame" as saying "I know I must be growing old, because a peppermint Gibraltar is so comforting to me."
In Hawthorne's
The House of the Seven Gables
, written in 1851 and set at about that time, Hepzibah Pyncheon's little "cent-shop" contained
His story "The Old Apple-Dealer," in Mosses from an Old Manse
, similarly mentions "that delectable condiment, known by children as Gibraltar rock."
According to a 1947 cookbook, Hawthorne wrote in his notebook of their having
The cookbook gives a recipe using sugar, water, vinegar, and either vanilla, peppermint or cloves for flavoring; it is boiled until hard then pulled like taffy, and becomes "soft and creamy" in several days.
A modern candy company offers "Gibralters"[sic] and lists sugar, water, cream of tartar, cornstarch, and oil of lemon as ingredients. They are cut into the shape of a rhombus about 1½ inches on a side.
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
.
An 1893 book about Salem calls Gibraltars, together with molasses "black-jacks," "two Salem institutions" and says She says the lemon flavor is preferred by youth, and the peppermint by the elderly, and quotes a "charming old Salem dame" as saying "I know I must be growing old, because a peppermint Gibraltar is so comforting to me."
In Hawthorne's
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne was an American novelist and short story writer.Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in 1804 in the city of Salem, Massachusetts to Nathaniel Hathorne and the former Elizabeth Clarke Manning. His ancestors include John Hathorne, a judge during the Salem Witch Trials...
The House of the Seven Gables
The House of the Seven Gables
The House of the Seven Gables is a 1668 colonial mansion in Salem, Massachusetts, USA. The house is now a non-profit museum, with an admission fee charged for tours, as well as an active settlement house with programs for children...
, written in 1851 and set at about that time, Hepzibah Pyncheon's little "cent-shop" contained
His story "The Old Apple-Dealer," in Mosses from an Old Manse
Mosses from an Old Manse
Mosses from an Old Manse was a short story collection by Nathaniel Hawthorne, first published in 1846.-Background and publication history:...
, similarly mentions "that delectable condiment, known by children as Gibraltar rock."
According to a 1947 cookbook, Hawthorne wrote in his notebook of their having
The cookbook gives a recipe using sugar, water, vinegar, and either vanilla, peppermint or cloves for flavoring; it is boiled until hard then pulled like taffy, and becomes "soft and creamy" in several days.
A modern candy company offers "Gibralters"[sic] and lists sugar, water, cream of tartar, cornstarch, and oil of lemon as ingredients. They are cut into the shape of a rhombus about 1½ inches on a side.