Mashed Potato Fudge (Spud Fudge)

1/2 cup cooked potatoes, unseasoned and mashed
4 tablespoons butter or margarine
Dash of salt
3 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pound confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Butter an 8-inch square pan.

With a wooden spoon, mix mashed potatoes, butter and salt in a large mixing bowl. Mix in melted chocolate and vanilla extract . Add sugar, a little at a time, mixing until ingredients are combined and no sugar is visible. Mix in nuts, if desired. When mixture becomes too hard to mix with spoon, knead with buttered hands. Knead until smooth. Press into prepared pan. Chill. Cut into squares.

Fudge also can be formed into balls and dusted with cocoa power mixed with sugar, if desired.