Colcannon (sometimes spelt as colcanon or kohl cannon) is a traditional Irish vegetable dish which is prepared by mixing mashed potatoes with cabbage or kale. The Irish have dedicated a song in the honor of this dish. This dish resembles a fluffy potato mountain with a well of butter in the centre, where the spoon is dipped before eating. Colcanon is normally served as an autumn/winter dish when kale/cabbage comes in abundant quantities. The dish was once considered to be undeniable part of the Irish Halloween tradition and it is also served on St. Patrick’s Day. The name is derived from Irish word 'cál ceannann' which translates to white-headed cabbage. Several variations of the dish are popular throughout Ireland. Food experts suggest that this dish closely resembles British dish “Bubble and Squeak”.

According to Irish traditions, the Colcannon was distributed to the poor on the very first day of spring called Imbolc. Normally, buttermilk, oat gruel, apple cake, dumplings and colcannon were enjoyed during the spring meal.

Preparation Overview

 Ingredients: The dish is prepared with the help of ingredients like peeled and quartered potatoes, curly kale, scallions, butter, salt and pepper

 Method of Preparation: The dish preparation begins by cooking small round potatoes in salt water, to which kale is added and removed after a minute. Chopped scallions are combined with kale. The boiled potatoes are mashed with butter until creamy and smooth, blended with kale mixture and seasoned with scallions/chopped onions. Normally chopped kale or cabbage is used in a traditional recipe of colcannon; however, white cabbage can also be used.

 Serving Suggestions -The dish is perfect to be served as a side dish, lunch or with the regular egg and butter bean breakfast.  The colcannon tastes good with a pint of Guinness.

Trivia

In ancient Irish society this dish was used for predicting marriage during Halloween. Various amusing treasures were hidden in the colcannon and girls who found it were supposed to hang treasures along with socks in the door handle. Spoonful of this potato dish was stuffed in socks that were hanged on the door. The first man who entered the room was believed to be intended groom of the girl.

In some other areas the ring was hidden in a dish and it was believed that the people who would find the ring were likely to be married within a year.