Christmas Turtles by Mail

As my teeth sunk into the dark chocolate enrobing one of Hallie Baker's superb turtles it occurred to me that her candies are not only anatomically suggestive of the reptile animal for which they are named – because of the nut-flippers sticking out – but that the exterior has a good shell-like crunch. Her Turtle Alley turtles are well-nigh perfect in my book. Traditional pecan turtles always will be my favorite, but I love sampling the eighteen other species she sells at her stores in Gloucester in Salem and – praise be! – via mail order. A couple of other faves are the cranberry pecan turtle and the macadamia nut chipotle turtle; and if you are planning a big party, consider Mondo Turtle, a single hunk of candy about a food wide, ready to satisfy about a dozen sweet tooths. The full inventory, ready to order and to gift-wrap, is available at the Turtle Alley website: www.turtlealley.com