'La Tire' or the Taffy Pull

Romance in the Snow

The custom of an annual taffy pull, or 'la tire' is believed to have been started by Marguerite Bourgeoys; one of the builders of Montreal, and founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame; who used the event to help bring young couples together in an innocent, but fun, atmosphere. Not surprisingly, it was always held on November 25, the feast day of Saint Catherine, the patron saint of unmarried women

First, all the single young men and women would be paired off and then the organizers would simply heat molasses and pour it in a thin stream onto a snow bank. It would become hard and brittle immediately, and was then ready to pull.

Since the taffy had to be pulled for a very long time, it was a perfect opportunity for the couples to get to know one another.  As they strung it out thin; roped it together; and pulled it again,  they could flirt and tease, and since the event was often a competition, work together to create a prize-winning entry. Each couple would try to think up fancy ways to fashion their candy to look the best, so they would pull it out and then braid it elaborately, and once the taffy took on a honey coloured tone, or became too cold to pull anymore, they were through.  For anyone who misjudged the timing, they would end up with a hard lump, and no doubt win the 'booby' prize. This would usually be an all-day event, with snowball fights, sledding and skating; and since they now had a sugar high, I'm sure they went home with as much taffy in their hair or on their clothing, as they did in their bellies.

Taffy on the Snow

Of course, the taffy pull did not always need to have a romantic theme, but could be enjoyed by all levels of society, especially children.  Called Taffy on the Snow, it took place wherever there was clean snow, and whenever a group of people wanted a little winter fun, usually at someone's home.  The candy recipe was started on the wood cook stove, and when it was cool enough to handle,  would be cut into smaller portions for pulling.   However, it could also be done the old-fashioned way by simply heating the molasses, though Tried and True Recipes (Kingston, Ontario c1890), also gave this recipe; which could even be done indoors.

PULLED TAFFY - Two punds brown sugar, one and half cups water, one dessert-spoon vinegr, one dessert-spoon butter.  Boil rapidly without stirring until it forms a hard ball when dropped into cold water.  Then pour onto lightly buttered platter and, when cool, pull.

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