Norwegian Candied Nuts

1/2 cup butter
4 cups shelled nuts, toasted
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 stiffly beaten egg whites
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Heat oven to 325 degrees F.

Melt butter in the oven in a 13 x 9-inch pan.

Beat egg whites until stiff. Add salt and gradually add sugar. Beat again until stiff again. Add vanilla extract and nuts. Blend until well mixed. Pour nuts and meringue mixture into pan with butter. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 8 minutes. Nuts should be golden brown, with no butter remaining in pan.