Irish Colcannon

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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!  

Here’s what you need:

  • 3 large russet potatoes (Not a thin skinned variety)
  • 4 oz of Irish bacon (a cured pork that has little to no fat)
  • 1 cup chopped kale or cabbage (I used kale)
  • 4 Tablespoons of Irish Butter (different from American, but American can be substituted)
  • 1/8 cup of half and half

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Here’s how you do it:

  1. Cut the potatoes into quarters and boil until tender.20150228_160534
  2. While potatoes are cooking, cook the bacon until crisp; cool and chop into very small pieces 20150228_162026
  3. Sautee the kale in the same pan you cooked the bacon.  When 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! 20150228_164953
  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   –   serves 4-6

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

7 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!

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