Irish Food Isn't Just Potatoes

        Blood pudding is a popular dish in Ireland and Scotland. Though it may look and sound unappetizing, it actually is very delicious. It is made by bleeding healthy cattle by the neck, but in a place where it won't hurt the cattle. Pig blood is often used as well. The blood is then mixed with meat, often pork. Blood pudding, or black pudding,  is then mixed with a variety of rice, oats, or even raisins. The meat mixture is then cased into a pig's intestine and then dried as a protein source in the winter. Almost every culture has has it's own form of blood sausage.        One way blood pudding is most commonly eaten is in Scottish and Irish breakfasts. This "traditional" breakfast often includes the sausage along with beans, toast, mushroom, some sort of egg, and grilled tomatoes. This whole idea of eating blood may be off-putting, but often butchers would have left over blood and need a use for it. This "pudding" is considered a del...

      As most people know, potatoes are the biggest staple food in Ireland. It's what everyone thinks about besides Leprechauns and the color green. But how did this spectacular spud become so well known? Well, it all started in the 17th century when Ireland was the first of the Europeans to accept it as a field crop. It was established as a staple food in the 18th century. Potatoes are perfectly suited for the living conditions and the soil of Ireland. They also served as a new safe-guard against unemployment, poverty, and overpopulation. By the year 1830, young males were eating about 11 pounds of potatoes per person everyday. However around 15 years later, things for the potato took a different turn.            Around 1845, potato blight started spreading around Europe. This was the beginning of the Potato Famine. Over 1 million people died from either starvation or disease. The famine was devastating for Ireland. Many people began im...

Ireland has a lot of different foods to offer, many including potatoes. Arguably potatoes are the best part of every stew and the superior side dish but that's another conversation. However, around holidays such as Easter, St Patrick's Day, and even Christmas, many Irish and Irish-American families indulge in these foods.                                                                                                                    ~ Number One : Soda Bread                                                                     ...