Irish Potato Boxty Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

• What day do the Irish most typically eat boxty?

  Folks in the U.S. might think of boxty while planning for St. Patrick’s Day. But in Ireland boxty is more associated with St. Brigid’s Day (and its pagan predecessor, Imbolc), which traditionally falls on February 1. In pre-Christian times, the festival celebrated the arrival of spring, and with it, fresh milk. Now as the holy day of Ireland’s “mother saint,” it’s an excuse to celebrate the patroness of, among other things, dairy production. The batter is mostly potatoes and milk, fried crisp in unsalted butter — a delicious vehicle for good, fresh dairy.

• What do you eat with boxty?

  Boxty is a perfect match for dairy, whether sour cream (like we use here) or luscious melted butter, a traditional accompaniment in Ireland (sometimes with a bit of honey or powdered sugar). These potato pancakes are usually a side dish — they’re right at home served with a good Irish stew, for example — but are hearty enough to make for their own main when served with Irish bacon and a sunny-side-up egg.