COLCANNON

In Ireland, many traditional dishes are associated with festivals and feast days from both the Celtic calendar of the Druids and the newer Christian calendar. Colcannon (from the Irish cal ceann fhionn , or "white-headed cabbage"), a mashed potato dish flavored with kale or cabbage, is traditionally made on All Saint´s Day or Halloween. Its origins may lie in the need to use up the last leafy vegetables in the fall garden. Traditional charms were put in the colcannon that symbolized different things. A button meant you would remain a bachelor and a thimble meant you would remain a spinster for the coming year. A ring meant you would get married and a coin meant you would come into wealth.

Serves 3
40 minutes
482 kcal per serving


Ingredients

• 500 g large floury potatoes, peeled, cut into large chunks
• 250 g leeks, sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Kale, 3-4 leaves
• 150 ml milk (I used skimmed milk), hot
• 50 g butter
• 250 g cooked thick-cut ham

Method

1. Cook the potatoes in deep boiling water until tender.
2. Meanwhile fry the leeks until tender and steam the kale and drain.
3. When the potatoes are soft enough to mash, drain and beat to a fluff with either a potato masher or a wooden spoon
4. Pour in the milk, then add the butter.
5. Chop the kale and ham and fold it in together with the cooked leeks.
6. Season with salt and pepper and serve with the mash.