Sweet Spuds

Since the early 90’s, Hermine Sittel Kubista has been crafting delicious treats the old fashioned way. From her kitchen at Hermine’s Old World Confections on Government Way, Hermine turns out traditional German goodies featuring her family marzipan recipe.

For those unfamiliar with Marzipan it is a delicious sweet made from ground almonds and sugar. In the store, you’ll find truffles, candies, tortes, cakes and more. But what grabs just about everyone’s attention is Hermine’s signature Idaho Candy Spuds.

“I wanted to do something everyone could identify with, and everyone knows about Idaho’s potatoes so that’s how I got the idea,” recalled Hermine.

The candy potato looks just like the real Idaho spud shrunk down. Hermine uses her traditional marzipan recipe, rolls the paste in pure cocoa powder and shapes them into mini potatoes. She’s been making them since 1993 and they’ve been a crowd favorite since.

“We took them to the North Idaho Fair, and I won a Blue Ribbon,” said Hermine.

The perfect take-home souvenir, the candy potatoes come six in a plastic box or in a real wood container — your choice — and are packaged with a label that Hermine created herself. Proud of her German heritage and introducing her culture to locals and visitors, Hermine keeps her recipes very traditional.

“The potatoes are the same recipe as day one, and I will never deviate from that,” said Hermine.

The Idaho Candy Potatoes are all natural, and they keep for at least six months. So even if you pick up a box new, you can still put them in a Christmas stocking down the road. The potatoes are available at Hermine’s Old World Confections, her website www.marzipanlove.com and have recently been added to the shelves at Pilgrim’s Market.

Hermine welcomes you to stop by and learn more about her unique treats, and who knows, maybe you’ll find a new favorite candy!

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