Skip the Boring Mashed Potatoes: Authentic Irish Colcannon with Fresh Greens
A velvety, comforting potato mash cooked in milk and loaded with tender cabbage — a simple side dish so satisfying you won't even miss the meat.
When your usual side dishes start to feel completely uninspired, this traditional Irish comfort meal is the ultimate way to shake up your dinner routine. Historically, potatoes have always been the heart and soul of Irish cuisine, and this recipe shows exactly why.
Ingredients: 1.8 lbs (800g) of starchy baking potatoes, 7 oz (200g) of kale or fresh green cabbage, 1.7 cups (400ml) of milk, a small bunch (50g) of green onions, 1/2 cup (120g) of butter, with salt and black pepper to taste.
To start, peel your starchy potatoes and chop them into large, uniform chunks. Place the spuds straight into a deep pot and pour the milk over them. Toss in a generous pinch of salt and bring the milk to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, letting the potatoes cook until they are about halfway tender.
While the potatoes simmer, shred your cabbage or kale into wide ribbons. Place the greens in a bowl, scald them with boiling water for two minutes to soften the bite, and drain. Chop your green onions into thick rings, keeping the white parts and the green tops separated.
Next, blanch the drained cabbage in a fresh pot of boiling water for about 3 to 4 minutes until it turns a vibrant green but retains a bit of texture. Drain it thoroughly, pat it dry with a towel, and give it a rough chop.
The moment your potatoes reach that halfway mark, drop the blanched cabbage and the white parts of the green onions directly into the simmering milk with the potatoes. Let everything cook together until both the veggies and potatoes are completely fork-tender. Just two minutes before pulling the pot off the stove, fold in the remaining green onion tops.
Remove the pot from the heat and use a sturdy potato masher to crush the ingredients into a thick, rustic, textured puree. Serve it piping hot with a signature well of melted butter pooled right in the center.
