The cookie

 When we were kids we always called this cookie butterballs.  That's what we were told they were. But when I grew up and started reading cookbooks I have since seen them called snowballs or Italian wedding cookies. I even had one once that had crunched up potato chips as an ingredient! 

As far as tradition goes these cookies are on the same level as the turkey for Thanksgiving.  I can't remember ever a Thanksgiving or Christmas when these were not part of the offering.  

I double the recipe so I only have to do them once.  The freezer is my best friend. We like them just this side of underdone, we don't like them over cooked so they are watched very carefully. 

Roll them in powdered sugar almost immediately from the oven and the sugar will melt and they will get a little gummy coating. Then when completely cooled I roll them again. 

The real problem for me now is PH and I are the only ones who like them with the chopped walnuts and he barely eats cookies.  The kids, in-laws and grands don't like the nuts.  I can't eat these without the nuts so I add them to the very last of the recipe and make just a few for us. I use walnuts for subtle flavor.