Ireland – Boxty

Gerry, from New Horizon, dropped in on the site on his way home from work. He gave me the recipe for boxty and quoted a skipping rime from his childhood.

Boxty on the griddle, boxty in the pan,
if you can’t make boxty, you’ll never get a man.

We went on a tour of the site.

The sun was shining and the flowers and shrubs were beginning to bud. Four African children were climbing all over the long-suffering and infinitely patient security man at the gate.  A deadly game of football between ‘Dynamo Kiev’ and ‘Galatasasri’ was in progress on the pitch. Two girls were rollerblading at great speed with their little sister in a pushchair.  A Russian male teenager and a female Angolan one were deep in conversation. They did not have any common language but that did not appear to impede communications!

He recalled the early days of cold and fear here; two teams of security guards in fluorescent jackets, constantly patrolling between the caravans. Everyone terrified of everyone else.
Sometimes, he says, just occasionally, things get better.

Ingredients
  • 500g raw potato
  • 500g mashed potato
  • 500g plain flour
  • Milk
  • 1 Egg
  • Salt and pepper

Grate the raw potatoes and mix with the cooked mashed potatoes. Add salt, pepper and flour. Beat egg and add to mixture with just enough milk to make a batter that will drop from a spoon. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a hot griddle or frying pan. Cook over a moderate heat for 3-4 minutes on each side.

Serve with a tart apple sauce: or as part of an Ulster Fry, with fried bacon, fried sausage, fried eggs, fried black pudding, fried bread, fried soda bread.