Oh my! I am feeling quite lucky! It must be because St Patrick’s Day is well on its way! I’m loading up the pots with gold (chocolate gold, that is), putting up some rainbow garlands and getting into a bright green wardrobe. I am totally ready for this!
Of course, I am a firm believer that any celebration is a good reason to indulge in a delicious feast! We all know St Patrick’s Day is dedicated to the luck of the Irish. There are a number of traditional Irish dishes that everyone must try at least once. Here are a few of my favorites:
Traditional Irish Foods to Try
Boxty: Potatoes are one of my favorite vegetables. They are versatile and make fantastic side dishes. Boxty is a traditional Irish pancake. Its “batter” consists of a mix of mashed and grated potatoes. This combination gives is what gives it its unique texture: half pancake, half hash brown. Often topped with crème fraiche, boxty is also known to be a great accompaniment to smoked salmon.
Crubeens: When I first told my kids about crubeens, they were a little unsure how to feel about the meal. Crubeens is a popular pork Irish dish. It is made of pigs’ feet, which are boiled and then battered and deep fried. They usually require long, slow cooking but the taste is magnificent! Surely worth the wait!
Colcannon: And so here I was just talking about my love for potatoes: colcannon is an Irish side-dish worth saving room for. Traditionally made of mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage, colcannon preparation can vary depending on the region.
Irish Soda Bread: Do you love the idea of homemade bread? If ever you were curious to make your own, Irish soda bread is definitely the bread to start with. It’s quick and simple to make, using mainly baking soda as its leavening agent rather than traditional yeast. Irish soda bread is the traditional ‘table bread’ in Ireland, found as a staple in many homes.
Coddle: Looking for that perfect cold-weather dish? Coddle will get you all warmed up! Traditionally made with sliced pork sausages, potatoes and onions, it’s a meal that will trump your “One-Pot” recipes. The flavors of the ingredients infuse with one another and make for a hearty stew. It often uses leftover meats and vegetables, so not one coddle recipe will be exactly like the other.
Have you tried any of these traditional Irish dishes? What are your plans for St-Patrick’s Day? Let me know in the comments below!