Instructions: A wonderful Aztec poem contains the line, Friendship is like a shower of precious flowers. So on Valentines Day, why not shower those who are special in your life with a box of homemade Mexican candies?

One of the easiest candies to make is fruta cubierta, or crystallized fruit.

It stores well and looks great. Cut strips of peel from any citrus fruit. Place up to 1 1/2 cups of peel in a saucepan with 2 cups of water and 2 cups of sugar.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a low simmer and cook about 15 minutes. Remove the peel; place it between a few layers of paper towels and let it rest for 5 minutes before rolling the peel in granulated sugar. Place the peel on more paper towels and dry for about 24 hours. When dry, it can be stored for several days in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer, until it is ready for your Valentines Day candy box.

One candy-making trick is the chocolate-flavored candy coating made by Bordens Eagle Brand. It is sometimes hard to find, so I stock up when I see it in stores. It eliminates the need for using paraffin, or edible wax, in chocolate to produce the right consistency and hardening for coating. When its melted, everything from orange slices to pretzels to strawberries can be dipped into it.

Bombones de coco, or chocolate-covered coconut candy, offers another use for the coating. Palanqueta is a traditional candy similar to peanut brittle but with almonds.

According to one popular Mexican legend, San Valentin restored a young blind girls sight and she planted an almond tree with pink flowers next to his tomb.

Almonds have since become symbols for lasting love and friendship.

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