Harvest Pumpkin Ball © 1977

4 qts. popped popcorn
1/4 cups water
1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 lb. vanilla caramels
35 to 40 in. shoestring licorice
4 to 6 green gumdrops

Place popcorn in a large bowl. Combine water, pumpkin-pie spice and salt in the top of a double boiler. Mix well. Add caramels and cook over hot water, stirring often, until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over popcorn. Toss until the pieces are well coated. With lightly buttered hands, form into a pumpkin shape measuring about 8 inches in diameter at the bottom and about 4 1/2 inches high at the center. Make 7 or 8 slight indentions from the center to the bottom to form sections of the pumpkin. Cut strips of shoestring licorice and press down the center of each indentation. Use green gumdrops to make a pumpkin stem. Use as a centerpiece for the table. If desired, arrange with a cornucopia of fresh red and green apples, grapes and nuts. Makes 1 large ball.

Popcorn