Provençal Candlemas Cookies

These are cookies are traditionally baked on Candlemas, February 2, when the church candles are blessed. They are really nothing more than simple butter cookies, except that they are shaped like little boats. (A navette is an incense holder or incense boat) The pecans are my own addition. They add flavor and crunch. If you don’t want to bother shaping your cookies like boats, use the dough to make plain round cookies, and top them with pecan halves.