This Iconic Maine Candy Is Named For A Colorful, 19th-century Preacher Who Isn’t From Maine

Why is Maine’s favorite holiday candy an odd combination of potato, coconut and chocolate, and why is it named for a colorful evangelical preacher who wasn’t even from Maine? Right now, parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles across Maine are whipping up Needhams — essentially, shredded coconut, powdered sugar sugar and mashed potatoes (and butter in some recipes), which is shaped into a square or rectangle and dipped into semi-sweet melted chocolate. Though they’re good any time of year, Needhams are a particular favorite around the holidays, as they keep for several weeks (if they last that long before being gobbled up) and can be made in big batches and given out as gifts, often alongside other homemade sweet treats such as peanut butter balls, peanut brittle and fudge. So why, exactly, are they called Needhams?