This month I’ve made a couple of traditional recipes associated with Samhain (namely Irish Boxty and Barm Brack), so here’s an English one for the mix. It has nine ingredients – hence the name – and is also played as a fortunetelling game, with a ring (symbol of marital happiness) hidden inside to be served to a lucky guest.
For the record, I got the ring, but Zoeya got upset so I re-hid it and she totally by chance got it and was really excited about it. Which is to say, usually in these situations I just tell her to get over it, but I think it’s ok to spoil your kids a little once in awhile to see them smile.
Mash o’ Nine Sorts
Slightly adapted from Food.com
- 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 small turnip, peeled and diced
- 1 large parsnip, peeled and diced
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 leeks, cleaned and chopped into thin slices, including some of the green tops
- 6 ounces farmhouse cheddar cheese, grated
- salt & pepper
- 2 tablespoons cream (or half & half, which I always have around)
Heat oven to 350°.
In a big pot of salted water, bring the potatoes, carrots, turnip and parsnip together to a boil, and cook until soft. Mash them thoroughly (I think it’s supposed to be more uniform but I left it a little lumpy) and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Heat the butter and saute the leeks for a few minutes until soft. Add to the potato mixture along with the cream and mix. Stir in the grated cheese – and the ring! – and spread in a baking dish. Bake until golden brown, about 30 to 45 minutes.
We ate this on Friday movie night while watching Frankenweenie.