Boxty

Boxty is a cherished traditional Irish potato pancake, particularly popular in the north midlands, north Connacht, and southern Ulster regions of Ireland. This dish combines finely grated raw potatoes with mashed potatoes, flour, baking soda, buttermilk, and occasionally an egg. The mixture is then fried on a griddle to create a delectable pancake. While you can strain the grated potatoes to remove excess starch and water, this step is not essential.

There are several methods to prepare boxty. You can bake it in a pan to make "boxty bread" pan-fry it like a griddle cake, or even boil it as dumplings. What distinguishes boxty is its smooth, fine-grained texture. Traditionally, boxty is served in thick slices or wedges, rather than thin crepes.

With the growing interest in Irish cuisine, boxty has gained popularity beyond its traditional regions and can now be found on menus in various restaurants. There is even an old Irish rhyme that goes, “Boxty on the griddle; boxty in the pan. If you can’t make boxty, you’ll never get a man!” highlighting its cultural significance. Additionally, boxty is often served on St. Brigid’s Day alongside other traditional foods like cross-shaped oat bread and Bride bannocks.

The word "boxty" likely has Irish origins, possibly stemming from phrases that mean "poor house bread" or "bakehouse."