Traditional Colcannon
Get festive this Halloween season for adults and kids alike with this cozy meal steeped in Irish tradition. Every bite of pillowy mashed potatoes is hand-dipped in a pool of melted butter and perfectly contrasted with toothsome scallions and bits of kale. Forget the candy -- everyone will be reaching for this dish instead!
Equipment
- 1 cutting board
- 1 chef's knife
- 1 colander
- 2 large pots
- 1 small saucepan
- 2 wooden spatulas
- 1 potato peeler
Ingredients
Colcannon Ingredients
- 5 pounds Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1.5 cups whole milk
- 6 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 bunches curly kale, stripped and roughly chopped
- 2 bunches scallions, chopped green parts only
- 1 pinch salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves minced garlic optional
Optional Add-ins (see post for more info)
- 1 ring symbolizing marriage
- 1 button symbolizing bachelorhood
- 1 thimble symbolizing spinsterhood
- 1 coin, washed symbolizing wealth
Instructions
For the Potatoes
- Add potatoes to a large pot and fill with enough water to cover. Add salt and garlic, stir, and bring to a boil. Cook the potatoes until tender, 10-15 minutes. Drain and set the entire pot aside.
For the Kale
- Bring an electric kettle full of water to the boil and add to a second pot with a pinch of salt. Rinse the kale and add to the pot. Reduce the heat and simmer the kale until tender, 10-15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
For the butter mixture
- In a small saucepan, mix the milk, 2 tablespoons of butter, and salt over medium-low heat. When the butter fully melts and the milk starts to bubble around the edge, stir in the chopped scallions.
Colcannon Assembly
- Mash the potatoes with a potato masher. Stir in the butter mixture until potatoes are creamy and homogenous. Stir in the chopped kale, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Scoop the colcannon onto a large platter and make a well in the center. Melt the remaining butter completely in the microwave (10-15 seconds) and pour into the well.
- Optional: hide the thimble, ring, button, and coin among the colcannon to partake in the fortune-telling tradition -- just be sure to warn your guests first!