One of the greatest treats old-time settlers made. All you need to remember is to brush the top layer off clean snow and dip out the clean center, never dipping the cup deep enough to pick up dirt from the ground.

To make snow ice cream, whip 1 cup heavy cream. Then fold in sugar and vanilla extract to taste. Take a large bowl outside and scoop up about one quart (4 cups) of perfectly clean snow. While the snow is still frozen, fold it into the cream mixture and adjust the sugar and vanilla to taste. Eat immediately or pack the bowl in a snowbank (well covered to protect the ice cream from wild or domestic animals) and let it chill until the ice cream has hardened.

Makes about 6 servings.