Boxty is easy to prepare and above all it helps us to explain one of the most terrible events about hunger in all of human history.
In the mid-19th century the entire island of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom. Many Irish lived practically in servitude working on the large estates owned by English aristocrats. The main crop was wheat that was exported to England while the natives survived with vegetables and especially potatoes, a crop imported from America that withstood excess humidity and the cold of the island very well. In fact, the potato solved the endemic problem of hunger in Europe.
Unfortunately, an epidemic broke out that soon wiped out all tuber production. To make matters worse, the fields were overflowing with wheat but the Irish could not collect it for their own use since it belonged to the English and they did not give it to the population up despite being aware of the hunger. Population was forced to choose between die of starve or emigrate. In a few years Ireland lost a quarter of the population who either "chose" the first option or emigrated to the United States, Australia, Argentina etc.
The Great Irish Famine had a devastating effect and even today the country has not recovered the population it had before 1850. If we look at the above graph we will see that in just a couple of years it lost almost 2 million inhabitants and even in 2000 the population remained below XIX century levels.
"Thanks" (ironic) to this famine, some areas of the United States have received a strong Irish influence, celebrating Saint Patrick almost as if it were a national holiday, and in other countries, besides USA, surnames that begin with "O ' "(O' Malley, O'Donell etc) became common.
So the Irish relationship with potatoes is a bit love-hate, something that fortunately is not reflected in the boxty.
The boxty is prepared as if it were a crepe but mixing raw potato with the flour, a somewhat sarcastic fact if we think that the Irish of the nineteenth century died by the thousands precisely because they did not have either of both products.
INGREDIENTS (4 boxty more or less):
- 1 cup (200 ml) grated potato
- 1 cup of wheat flour
- 1 cup of mashed potatoes
- 2 eggs
- 1 quart cup (50 ml) of milk
- Chemical yeast (optional)
- 1 scant teaspoon of salt
- Pepper
- Extra virgin olive oil or butter (in Ireland they use butter, of course)
First of all, we prepare the mashed potatoes by simply boiling a couple of potatoes, just enough to fill a cup. Do not add cheese or butter.
We pass the boiled potatoes through the masher and pour them into a bowl together with the flour and the grated potato. Next we add the eggs, milk, salt and pepper to taste. Personally, I like to make the boxty as if it were a crepe, but if you like to make them like small American pancakes, you can add chemical yeast according to what the manufacturer indicates for the amount of flour used.
We beat all the ingredients well. Add a generous jet of oil or a tablespoon of butter to a medium size pan (15 cm/ 6 inches, more or less) and when it is hot - always over medium heat - we pour part of the mixture until it fills the base but without being too thick. Let it cool on each side for about 4 minutes, turning it over as if it were a potato omelette with the help of a plate. Serve it hot or at room temperature.
They are not exclusive to breakfasts, and can be served at any meal of the day accompanied by jam, butter, melted cheese or as is. The most modern recipes add cheese, parsley or even sugar etc. In any case, a very original and tasty recipe.