Saint Patrick’s Day is full of many traditions, most of which revolve around eating, drinking, and wearing green.
For many, it is a celebratory time to commemorate one’s heritage and enjoy what it means to be Irish.
For those of you that aren’t Irish, it is a day to immerse yourself in a culture that differs from your own. Irish or not, here are some great Saint Patrick’s Day dishes that are bound to be on your table, if you’re lucky.
Irish Soda Bread – This is a St. Patty’s Day staple. It is a crumby bread made with buttermilk and honey, and infused with cranberries or raisins, often soaked in whiskey.
Junior business/accounting major, Brittany Chapman said, “Irish Soda Bread is one of my favorite foods to eat on St. Patrick’s Day because you can eat it along with something else, or it’s just as good on its own as a snack.”
Shepherd’s Pie – This dish is a meat pie filled with beef or lamb and crusted with mashed potatoes. Vegetables are sometimes included. This is a very traditional Irish dish dating back to about 1877.
Boiled Potatoes – Let’s face it, nothing is more Irish than potatoes, and this dish is a simple companion to any of the traditional Irish dishes you’ll see. Potatoes are skinned, boiled, and coated in garlic, butter, and bay leaves.
Corned Beef and Cabbage – This is probably one of the most well-known Irish dishes. It consists of cured beef and boiled cabbage and usually comes with vegetables.
Although this food is one of the most eaten by Irish Americans in the realm of St. Patrick’s Day dishes, this dish is actually not traditionally Irish in nature.
Junior communication student, Clare Maurer said, “For St. Patrick’s day my family eats corned beef and cabbage, except no one actually eats it except my grandmother.”
Potato Leek Soup – This is a traditional Irish soup that is made with potatoes, leeks, butter, cream, thyme and some vegetables. It is perfect to come home to after standing in the cold on a chilly parade day.
Colcannon – This dish is a traditionally Irish and consists of kale or cabbage and mashed potatoes.
Guinness Beef Stew – This hearty crockpot dish contains potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, parsnips, thyme, beef, and of course, a bottle of Guinness stout for added cooking flavor.
Boxty – Known as the traditional Irish potato pancake made with baking soda, flour, buttermilk, and egg. It is fried on a griddle and flattened to achieve a pancake shape.
Apple Amber – This dish is a simple and delicious dessert. It contains briefly cooked sweetened apples backed by itself in a pie dish. The dessert is then topped with meringue then lightly browned in the oven to add texture. This is a great dessert option to finish a perfect Irish feast.
Alexis Nulle, communication professor, said, “St. Patrick’s Day is an important holiday for me, as I come from an Irish-Catholic background. I’m looking forward to celebrating with my son and eating all of the different foods, even possibly making something myself.”
Trying some of these festive foods can enhance your St. Patty’s Day celebration, and will put you in the spirit of the holiday.
Whether you’re attending a parade, a party, or celebrating at home, these Irish dishes are sure to make your St. Patrick’s Day one to remember, even after the pub crawl.
IMAGE TAKEN from www.silive.com
