Sugar on Snow

On a recent trip home for the weekend, I made sure to do a few things.

1. Snuggle with my parents' dogs.

Bellatrix.

2. Note the amount of snow Vermont still has compared to....everywhere else. 

The front "yard."

3. Get a Shamrock Shake on my long drive.

One million calories, no regrets.

4. EAT SUGAR ON SNOW. This is a phenomena that can only occur during sugaring season when the maple trees are being tapped and therefore can only occur in areas where there are a large number of maple trees. Okay so really, it could happen anywhere, but I'm going to continue to tell myself that it is a New England item and more specifically, a Vermont thing. SO basically what happens is, you are handed a paper bowl of shaved ice (the snow) and about 1/4 or a 1/3 cup of maple syrup (the sugar) that is hot hot hot. Literally, burning hot.

The idea is to drizzle (not pour) the piping hot sugar onto the snow. This will then create a maple delicacy so satisfying and so sticky that you will want nothing but to continue eating said magical sugar creation. The hot maple syrup cools on the ice and turns into the consistency of a caramel or a taffy. You wrap it around your spoon and eat it as soon as this change in consistency occurs. It gets better though! You chase this magical bite with either a pickle OR a soft homemade doughnut OR both. Both of these items cut the sweetness. I also like my sugar on snow with a cup of coffee on the side. Your will probably have a stomach ache afterwords because of all this sugar and salt but WHO CARES? Also, resist the urge to pour all of your sugar on at once because your snow will melt and then the whole experience is done and what you're left with is a soupy bowl of watered down syrup. Cost? Pennies. Well, three bucks, but seriously worth it. I also highly recommend Morse Farm for your annual sugar on snow outing.