Colcannon
Creamy mashed potato folded with cabbage or kale. ยท Ireland
Creamy mashed potato folded with cabbage or kale.
About Colcannon
Buttery mashed potato is mixed with cooked cabbage or kale and scallions, with a well of melting butter in the middle. A humble Irish staple, it is especially associated with Halloween.
๐๏ธ History & Culture
Colcannon's roots lie in the centuries-old Irish tradition of combining mashed potatoes with foraged or garden greens, a practice that became widespread after the potato's introduction to Ireland in the 16th century. The dish's name is thought to derive from the Irish phrase "cal ceannann," meaning "white-headed cabbage," though its exact etymology and the precise moment of its invention are not clearly documented.
Across Ireland, regional variations favor either kale or cabbage, with some households adding leeks or onions, while the essential buttery well in the center remains constant. Colcannon holds special cultural weight at Halloween (Samhain), where it is traditionally served with hidden charmsโsuch as a ring or a coinโwhose discovery was said to foretell the finder's future, a custom that persists in many Irish homes today.
๐ณ How to make Colcannon
AI-assisted, not kitchen-testedColcannon
Classic Irish colcannon: buttery mashed potatoes folded with tender kale and scallions, served with a well of melting butter in the center. A humble staple especially associated with Halloween in Ireland, traditionally made with cabbage or kale.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
Recipe ingredients
- 900 g (2 lb) potatoes, floury, e.g. Russet or Maris Piper
- 200 g (7 oz) kale, curly or cavolo nero, stems removed
- 120 ml (ยฝ cup) whole milk
- 75 g (โ cup) unsalted butter, divided: 50 g for mash, 25 g for serving
- 4 scallions scallions, spring onions, finely sliced, white and green parts
- 5 g (1 tsp) salt, for boiling water, plus to taste
- 1 g (ยผ tsp) black pepper, freshly ground
Steps
- 1 Peel the potatoes and cut into roughly 2.5 cm (1 in) chunks so they cook evenly.
- 2 Place potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, add 1 tsp salt, and bring to a boil. Simmer 15โ18 minutes until a knife slides into a chunk with no resistance; do not undercook or the mash will be lumpy.
- 3 While potatoes cook, bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil. Add the kale and blanch for 3 minutes until wilted and tender but still bright green. Drain, squeeze out excess water, and finely chop.
- 4 Warm the milk and 50 g butter together in a small saucepan over low heat until the butter melts; keep warm.
- 5 Drain the potatoes thoroughly and return them to the hot pot. Place over low heat for 30 seconds to dry off any remaining moisture, then mash until smooth.
- 6 Pour the warm milk and butter mixture over the potatoes and beat in with a wooden spoon until creamy and fluffy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- 7 Stir the chopped kale and sliced scallions through the mash until evenly distributed; cook together for 1โ2 minutes so the greens warm through.
- 8 Transfer to a warm serving bowl. Use the back of a spoon to make a deep well in the center and fill it with the remaining 25 g butter so it slowly melts into a golden pool. Serve immediately.
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Colcannon โ frequently asked questions
What is Colcannon?
Buttery mashed potato is mixed with cooked cabbage or kale and scallions, with a well of melting butter in the middle. A humble Irish staple, it is especially associated with Halloween.
What is Colcannon made of?
Colcannon is made with potato, kale, butter, scallion and milk.
Where does Colcannon come from?
Colcannon comes from Ireland, and is especially associated with Nationwide. Colcannon's roots lie in the centuries-old Irish tradition of combining mashed potatoes with foraged or garden greens, a practice that became widespread after the potato's introduction to Ireland in the 16th century.
Where can I eat Colcannon?
An Irish kitchen, with a pool of butter in the centre.
How do you make Colcannon?
Making Colcannon at home takes about 15 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking. The recipe on this page serves 4 and is rated easy. Full ingredient list and step-by-step method are in the recipe section above.
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