Irish Colcannon

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Irish

An Irish potato dish, pronounced, cul-CANnon – often used with leftover potatoes and cabbage – and just in time for St. Patrick’s Day!  Traditionally served with boiled ham – but goes great with just about anything!  

Ingredient Information

Use only russet potatoes. Thin skinned potatoes have a different texture.

Irish bacon is pork that has been cured and has little to no fat. It’s hard to find, so you can use Hunter’s or European bacon instead. It’s the fat content that you need to watch.

You can use cabbage or kale. I used kale. I like the texture better than cabbage. Cabbage gets softer.

Irish butter is the best to use. It has a lower water content than American butter. It does cost a bit more, but the flavor is outstanding and it is primarily fat, no water.

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How to Make Irish Colcannon

  1. Cut the potatoes into quarters and boil until tender.irish
  2. While potatoes are cooking, cook the bacon until crisp; cool and chop into very small pieces irish
  3. Saute the kale or cabbage in the same pan you cooked the bacon.  When it’s soft and tender, return the bacon to the pan, cover and remove from heat 20150228_165729
  4. Drain potatoes.  Make sure they are completely drained – wet potatoes don’t get fluffy! irish
  5.  Remove skins by pinching the peel and pulling them off the potato.  20150228_165044
  6. Using a potato masher or larger fork (not a food processor or blender), mash the potatoes with 2 tablespoons of the butter and the half and half.20150228_165441
  7. Stir the bacon and kale mixture into the potatoes.  Place into a large bowl.  Put a well in the center and place the last two tablespoons of butter in the well.
  8. Warm the potatoes in the oven until the butter is melted 20150228_171544

Serve hot!

5 from 3 votes
Irish Colcannon

A delicious mix of potatoes (often leftover), cabbage and lots of butter.

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Irish, St. Patrick's Day
Keyword: bacon, cabbage, irish, Irish Bacon, mashed potatoes, potatoes
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Author: HelenFern
Ingredients
  • 3 large russet potatoes (do not use a thin skinned potato)
  • 4 oz Irish bacon
  • 1 cup kale or cabbage, chopped
  • 4 Tablespoons Irish butter
  • 1/8 cup half and half
Instructions
  1. Cut the potatoes into quarters and boil until tender.

  2. While potatoes are cooking, cook the bacon until crisp; cool and chop into very small pieces 

  3. Saute the cabbage or kale in the same pan you cooked the bacon.  When soft and tender, return the bacon to the pan, cover and remove from heat 

  4. Drain potatoes.  Make sure they are completely drained - wet potatoes don't get fluffy!  

  5. Remove skins by pinching the peel and pulling them off the potato.

  6. Using a potato masher or larger fork (not a food processor or blender), mash the potatoes with 2 tablespoons of the butter and the half and half.

  7. Stir the bacon and kale mixture into the potatoes.  

  8. Place into a large bowl.  Put a well in the center and place the last two tablespoons of butter in the well.

  9. Warm the potatoes in the oven until the butter is melted 

  10. Serve hot

Recipe Notes

Copyright 2015 LazyGastronome

Copyright 2015 LazyGastonome

 

Leave me a comment – I like to hear your thoughts.

 

This entry was posted in Holidays, Potatoes, Side Dishes, St. Patrick's Day and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

10 Responses to Irish Colcannon

  1. Audrey says:

    I have become a big kale fan in recent years, so I would definitely make this with kale instead of cabbage. So warm and hearty!

    Thanks for sharing on Tasty Tuesdays. I hope you’ll be back next week.

    • HelenFern says:

      And you can adjust how much kale to your own liking! I’m a kale fan too – love kale chips. Hey, maybe I’ll have to post that recipe!

      Thanks for stopping by!

  2. Lilly's Mom says:

    Thank you so much for showing how to make this delicious looking dish. I’m going to try and make it. I love Kerrygold butter!

  3. kareen liez says:

    Hmmmm…delicious! Wish I could try this :) Thanks for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I have pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board

  4. Pingback: St. Patrick’s Day Recipe Collection | The Lazy Gastronome

  5. Helen, I love Colcannon, and I haven’t made it in *years*! Thanks so much for reminding me and sharing your delicious version with kale and that beautiful butter melted in the center!

  6. Andréa says:

    5 stars
    Irish Colcannon is such a delicious traditional dish. Not only delicious on St. Patricks day but also when looking for a great meal for dinner!

  7. Nora says:

    5 stars
    Yum! This sounds delicious! Can’t wait to give it a try! Thank you!

  8. nancy says:

    5 stars
    thanks for this easy recipe. I just had extra potatoes and cabbages. It was delicious and easy to make

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