Irish Boxty — Leviathan Food :: Recipes & Writing (2024)

February 1 marks the Celtic pagan festival of Imbolc, which was later adopted as the feast of Ireland’s matron St. Brigid. The term Imbolc is thought to originate from the Irish “i mbolc”, meaning “in the womb”, and marks the beginning of Spring, the mid-point between the Winter solstice and the Spring equinox and with it a rebirth and renewal of life and fertility. Before the Catholicised icon of Brigid emerged, Brighid was a pagan figure closely linked to Imbolc and considered to be the “White Goddess” of healing, patroness of poets and smiths, and daughter of the mythical clan the “Daghda”. During the foundation of Christianity in Ireland, the name Brigid was adopted by a figure otherwise known as ‘Mary of the Irish’ who became influential in the establishment of convents and the spread of Christianity across the island.

The preparation of boxty is among a number of traditions observed on Imbolc/St. Brigid’s Day, including the making of St. Brigid’s crosses, the ritual of the Brat Bríde and the Brídeog doll. ‘Boxty’ originates in the 1700s and may get its name from the Irish ‘arán bocht tí’, meaning ‘poor house bread’, due to its humble ingredients, making it a staple in Irish households where potatoes were relied upon to survive.

It is a simple potato pancake using mashed and/or grated potatoes. There are many iterations of this basic recipe, varying from county to county and even between households. An integral part of Irish life at one time, an old phrase warns "Boxty on the griddle; boxty on the pan. If you can't make boxty, you'll never get a man!"

Irish Boxty — Leviathan Food :: Recipes & Writing (2024)

FAQs

What is Irish boxty made of? ›

Boxty is a thick pancake of mashed and shredded potatoes, flour, baking soda, and buttermilk fried in butter or lard. These are traditionally formed into a circle and cut into quarters or triangles and are usually served as a side dish or appetizer. These are a great way to use up any leftover mashed potatoes.

What is the meaning of the word boxty? ›

'Boxty' originates in the 1700s and may get its name from the Irish 'arán bocht tí', meaning 'poor house bread', due to its humble ingredients, making it a staple in Irish households where potatoes were relied upon to survive. It is a simple potato pancake using mashed and/or grated potatoes.

What is the difference between boxty and latkes? ›

Her weapon was boxty, an Irish potato cake that is far more dense than a latke. I'll tell you up front that it is delicious, but the only thing it has in common with a latke is its main ingredient, the potato. I learned to make latkes in the German and Scandinavian kitchens of my childhood.

What country invented boxty? ›

Boxty is an authentic Irish dish which originated in the 1700s. It was a staple food in Irish households where potatoes were relied upon to survive. Blight during the famine destroyed the potato crop and affected the consumption of Boxty.

What is a fun fact about boxty? ›

The most noticeable difference between boxty and other fried potato dishes is its smooth, fine-grained consistency. An old Irish rhyme is: "Boxty on the griddle; boxty on the pan. If you can't make boxty, you'll never get a man!" As the interest in Irish cuisine has increased, so the popularity of boxty has risen.

What do the English call potato cakes? ›

Potato scallops/Potato cakes

In Australia and England, potato scallops are thin slices of potato that have been battered and deep-fried.

What is a traditional Irish potato basket? ›

The Skib by Joe Hogan is a traditional Irish basket used for straining and serving potatoes. After use it was washed and hung on the kitchen wall to dry and in this way began to be seen as a decorative object.

What is coddle in Ireland? ›

Coddle (sometimes Dublin coddle; Irish: cadal) is an Irish dish which is often made to use up leftovers. It most commonly consists of layers of roughly sliced pork sausages and rashers (thinly sliced, somewhat-fatty back bacon) with chunky potatoes, sliced onion, salt, pepper, and herbs.

Did mashed potatoes originate in Ireland? ›

Mashed potatoes are a staple in almost every Irish household, but the side dish has a long and storied history that has little to do with Ireland. They were first a staple for the Inca Empire, and for the Spaniards who conquered the Incas and remained in Latin America mining silver.

Is Boxty low fat? ›

Drummully Boxty is a family produced traditional low fat potato dish, slimmer's delight and made from the very best Irish potatoes. A tasty healthy, low fat convenient and versatile meal solution.

What country invented instant mashed potatoes? ›

Edward Anton Maria Asselbergs (1927–1996) was a Dutch-Canadian food chemist infamous for inventing the modern process of producing instant mashed potato flakes. He was raised in the Netherlands where he received his undergraduate degree, but fled to Canada with his family during the second World War.

What is the difference between boxty and potato bread? ›

It differs from boxty as boxty is made of raw potatoes whereas potato cake is made from cooked potatoes. In Ireland potato cakes are typically known as potato bread and are served in traditional breakfasts along with eggs and bacon. The Recipe: Boil potatoes in hot water until they are completely soft.

What is Irish champ made of? ›

Champ (brúitín in Irish) is an Irish dish of mashed potatoes with scallions, butter and milk.

What is Irish potato candy made of? ›

The candies have a coconut cream inside (generally made from some blend of coconut, confectioner's sugar, vanilla, and cream or cream cheese) and are rolled in cinnamon on the outside, resulting in an appearance reminiscent of small potatoes.

What are the components of an Irish breakfast? ›

A traditional full Irish breakfast comprises bacon, sausage, eggs, potatoes, beans, soda bread or toast, tomatoes, mushrooms, and white or black pudding. For those wondering, black pudding coagulates the pig's blood into a sausage form. The white pudding is simply a pork sausage, usually flat.

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