The Food of St. Patrick's Day

I'm not sure how it happened, but St. Patrick's Day began as a religious feast, however now, it is a day associated with green clothes, green food and rather copious amounts of green Guinness. It is named after St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and has been observed for centuries as a day of cultural and religious significance and is celebrated around the world, particularly in countries with large Irish populations, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. One of the most prominent aspects of St. Patrick's Day celebrations is the food that is traditionally eaten during this time of year.

Corned beef and cabbage is a traditional St. Patrick's Day dish that is enjoyed by many people around the world. The dish consists of corned beef brisket, which is a cured meat, which is usually boiled with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. The origins of this dish can be traced back to Irish immigrants in America, who substituted corned beef for traditional Irish bacon due to its availability and affordability. Today, it is a staple of St. Patrick's Day menus across the globe. We have our own version without a sliver of cabbage in sight, but by all means, add your cabbage, or even kale, as that is very traditional as well.

Another traditional St. Patrick's Day dish is Irish soda bread, which is a type of bread made with baking soda instead of yeast. Irish soda bread is typically made with flour, salt, baking soda, and buttermilk, and can be flavored with raisins or caraway seeds. The bread is known for its dense texture and distinctive flavor, and is often served with butter or jam or both. I love the little side note on this, that you must slash the top and poke the corners of the bread before baking to let the fairies (or the devils) out, depending on where in Ireland you come from.

Cottage pie or shepherds pie are often eaten on St. Patrick's Day. This hearty dish is made with ground beef or lamb, vegetables such as carrots and peas, and topped with mashed potatoes. The pie is then baked until the potatoes are golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly. It is a comforting and filling meal that is perfect for celebrating the holiday. Our weather is usually still quite warm on March 17th, but crank the air conditioner if you want that real authentic experience (with or without the green Guinness!)

Irish stew is a traditional dish that is also commonly eaten on St. Patrick's Day. The stew is made with lamb or beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, and a variety of herbs and spices. It is typically cooked slowly for several hours, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish. We did use the Thermomix fully for our version, but I would recommend using the slow cooker in all honesty. It took ALL day to cook.

Finally, no St. Patrick's Day celebration would be complete without a pint of Guinness. This dark, creamy beer is a symbol of Ireland and is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. It is often served in pubs and bars on St. Patrick's Day. When in Dublin you can visit the brewery which is a working museum really, and see the whole story from beginning to tasting! It is one of the highlights of a trip to Ireland.

Whether you are Irish or not, St. Patrick's Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the rich culture and history of Ireland, and to enjoy some delicious food along the way. We naturally have some not so traditional green food that we like to pretend is perfect for March 17th...but you be the judge.