posted by irisheyes 03-01-103 10:36 AM
Colcannon
8 Potatoes
1/3 pint of milk (heated)
6 scallions chopped
1 1/2 c boiled green cabbage
1 oz. butter
1 T. chopped parsley
Pepper and Salt to taste
Peel the potatoes and steep in cold water for 1 hour.
To cook: Add 1 tsp salt, cover the potatoes and boil until tender. Drain. Add milk, chopped scallions and beat until fluffy. Toss the cooked cabbage, finely chopped, with the melted butter. Add to the potatoes, fold in the parsley. Season with the pepper and salt.
Per the author: My Irish Cookbook, Monica Sheridan: "This is very Irish and far nicer than it sounds. In some districts the cabbage is omitted. 6 - 8 servings". She goes on to tell that colcannon is always served on a festival day. A miniature thimble, horseshoe, a button, a silver sixpence and a wedding-ring are each wrapped in white parchment paper and dropped into the mixture. These forecast the fortunes of the finders. If your portion contains the ring (marriage), sixpence (wealth), horseshoe (good luck) thimble (spinster) and button (bachelor).