Top 5 delicious Irish potato recipes for National Potato Day

With a day dedicated to it, potatoes are enjoyed almost everywhere in the world. To celebrate, here are the top five delicious Irish potato recipes for National Potato Day.

Spuds, taters, potatoes, or whatever you like to call them are an Irish favourite when it comes to our warm and hearty cuisine.

At one point, Ireland’s main source of food was the potato because of the nutrients it provided and how inexpensive it was to grow. The potato can be grown anywhere, thus making it accessible to everyone.

Sadly, placing all the eggs in one basket proved to be a rookie mistake when the potato blight hit, leading to crop failure, leaving the nation with very little to eat, and causing a nationwide famine – a very poignant time in Irish history.

With that being said, after so much hardship during these difficult times, the Irish people took nothing for granted when this great crop was finally able to grow on Irish soil once again.

With this single crop, people made all sorts of meals out of it, all of which tasted so different that it was hard to believe it was all from one vegetable.

Irish people are famous worldwide for their potatoes. Even in rural parts of Malawi in Africa, they have a potato they call the ‘Irish potato’. Whether it actually comes from Ireland, though, is a mystery.

Without further ado, let’s look at the top five delicious Irish potato recipes for National Potato Day.

5. Crispy roast potatoes – a true Irish classic

There’s just something about Irish roasties. They are so indulgent that it’s hard to put the fork down.

Traditionally, these were, and still are, cooked in chicken juices or goose fat, but nowadays, there are many ways to cook them.

This excellent side dish is the best accompaniment to most meals, especially a Sunday Roast and could be a great option for celebrating National Potato Day this year.

Here is what you’ll need:

• Peeled potatoes
• Rapeseed oil
• Salt
• Rosemary

Method:

1. Peel and cut your potatoes before pouring over salted boiling water.
2. Parboil for 10 minutes and heat up oil in your roasting tin while the potatoes are boiling.
3. Roast your potatoes in the oven for 45 to 55 minutes for delicious roast potatoes.

You can find the full recipe here.

4. Potato soup – a soup to warm the soul

Oh, we do love our stews and our soups in Ireland, especially on cold rainy days, and this is one of our favourite soups using homegrown Irish potatoes.

It can be a great starter or make a big batch and have it as a main meal, so we just had to include it on our list of delicious Irish potato recipes!

Here is what you will need for this soup:

• Bacon
• Onion
• Celery
• Potatoes
• Salt/pepper
• Evaporated milk

Method:

1. Brown your bacon in a pan and set aside.
2. Stir your onion and celery over a high heat in the remaining bacon grease.
3. Drain excess grease and add your potatoes, then pour over boiling water.
4. Simmer until the potatoes are tender, and add evaporated milk, salt, and pepper.

You can find the full delicious potato recipe here.

3. Colcannon – a favourite side dish

Could Colcannon be Ireland’s most famous and tastiest side dish? That’s a tough one, but it’s definitely a national favourite that has been around for many years.

Who even says it has to be a side dish? It’s so delicious that it can be eaten as a meal of its own. The choice is yours!

All you need for this yummy meal is:

• Peeled potatoes
• Cabbage
• Green onions
• Butter
• Cream
• Salt/pepper

Method:

1. Boil potatoes, cabbage, and green onions in a large saucepan until potatoes are tender.
2. Drain the vegetables and mash together with butter. Pour in your cream and season with salt and pepper.

You can find the full recipe here.

2. Boxty – the Irish potato pancake

This could be the easiest option on our list of Irish potato recipes and the best one to use leftovers for.

Back in the day, food was so scarce that they used every little bit, and there was no such thing as leftovers. So, naturally, this is how Boxty came to be.

All you’ll need to make this is:

• Grated raw potatoes
• All-purpose flour
• Leftover mashed potatoes
• One egg
• Skimmed milk
• Salt/pepper
• Olive oil

Method:

1. Mix grated potatoes and leftover mash in a large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, combine your egg and skimmed milk before adding in the potatoes.
3. Season with salt and pepper and fry patties in olive oil.

You can find the complete delicious potato recipe here.

1. Irish potato casserole – hearty and traditional

If you plan to celebrate National Potato Day as a group or as a family, then this is the perfect meal for you.

It is easily prepared, filling, and oh so tasty. Plus, you can make as many as you like in one go. Irish cuisine is known to warm your cockles and keep your hunger at bay, and casserole certainly fits that description.

Here is what you’ll need:

• Peeled and shredded potatoes
• Melted butter
• Two eggs
• Minced onion
• Salt
• Paprika
• Milk
• Cheddar cheese

Method:

1. Combine potatoes, butter, eggs, onion, salt, and paprika in a large bowl.
2. Place the mixture in a baking dish and pour over the milk.
3. Bake in a preheated oven for 40 minutes.
4. Sprinkle with cheese and return to the oven to melt the cheese.

You can find this delicious potato recipe here.

So, with National Potato Day just around the corner, you won’t be stuck for delicious Irish potato recipes to prepare. The hardest part will be deciding which one to choose. Bon appetite!