Active Time
30 minutes
Total Time
1 1/4 hours
Colcannon, a classic Irish combination of mashed potatoes with cabbage or kale, is standard winter fare. If that sounds, well, boring, trust us, this version is anything but that. We freshen it up by cooking the potatoes and cabbage separately, then we make it easy to serve for a party by adding an egg and baking it in a pie pan, so that you can cut it into wedges.
Ingredients
Makes 8 servings
Special Equipment
Preparation
Step 1
Steam cabbage in a steamer set over boiling water, covered, until just tender, 15 to 25 minutes. Remove lid, and when cool enough to handle, finely chop leaves.
Step 2
Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle.
Step 3
While cabbage is steaming, peel and quarter potatoes. Generously cover potatoes with cold water in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan and add 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, and briskly simmer, partially covered, until tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
Step 4
Drain potatoes well and mash in a large bowl with 3 tablespoons butter. Stir in cabbage, scallions, and salt and pepper to taste. Cool to warm and stir in egg.
Step 5
Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Brush pie plate with some of butter. Spread potato mixture evenly in plate and brush with remaining butter.
Step 6
Bake until golden, about 35 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
•Pie can be assembled 1 day ahead. Cool completely, then cover and chill. Allow an extra 10 minutes or so to get the pie golden if it is going straight from the refrigerator into the oven.
Leave a Review
Reviews (19)
Back to TopChop cabbage before steaming to save a bit of time/mess. (Or, some actually finish it in skillet on hob with sliced leeks/scallions/shallots/anything of your choice and a knob of butter, but add cabbage last and don't scorch or brown anything, just soften.) The additions would make it too fancy for some traditionalists. Mix with mashed potatoes (adding milk/butter as desired) and proceed with filling a baker/casserole and finishing as recipe describes. Key is balancing cabbage-to-potato ratio. A frugal dish, and tasty.
Anonymous
U.S.A.
3/16/2022
I make this every year for St. Patrick's Day Week! It is a staple each year!
Betsy
Seacrest, FL
3/7/2022
I would absolutely make this again, even if it wasn't St. Pat's. Took the suggestions from other reviewers. Subbed sauteed leeks for the green onions and added a splash of buttermilk. This was wonderful and creamy. Got rave reviews, even from the kids. This makes a lot. I've no idea how this fit into a pie plate, I needed a casserole dish. But, the leftovers will be fantastic as griddle cakes. As noted elsewhere, bacon/ham or even salmon would make this a meal. And I might add a sprinkle of cheese across the top next time.
charleenmp
Richmond, VA
3/18/2021
I think leeks would be a wonderful addition as well.
cattale9
Florida
7/14/2020
Irish comfort food. Perked up with the addition of bacon, generous pepper, parsley and buttermilk.
Sarah_Currie
Castlegar, BC
3/17/2015
The calorie count provided (491 per serving) seems incorrect. Based on the ingredients listed, it should be closer to 170 a serving (assuming 8 servings), even with all that butter!
ebeckett
Philadelphia
3/17/2015
After a few trial runs on this, I had to jazz it up. So, I crisped up some bacon, tossed in the white and light green parts of the scallion, and some minced garlic. While it was sautéing, I added the cabbage to the pan. Meanwhile, after my potatoes cooked I added a generous amount of salt, a few tablespoons of butter, then roughly half a cup of buttermilk. After the cabbage mix was finished, I added that to the potatoes, then tossed in some Irish cheddar for good measure. I had enough to fit in a 9X13, baked it off. Done.
fyrchef
Chicago, IL
3/14/2015
Good as it is, but better with a bit of smoked ham or cooked bacon cut up in it. Season well with butter, salt and pepper.
ParkerSuzanneM
Durango, CO
3/11/2015
Simple ingredients, simple recipe, simply delicious! I added about 2 tsp salt and a ton of fresh pepper before baking. Greater than the sum of its parts!
Roswell2K
Washington, DC
10/9/2013
Definitely beats boring boiled cabbage and potatoes, but taste to make sure there's enough salt and pepper in there before you add the egg. Will be making this every St. Patrick's Day!
Luv2ByteYou
NY
3/17/2013
I made this for the first time on St. Patricks Day. What a hit for everyone! Will definately make this again for my husband, my mom, anyone. I mixed half cabbage and half kale, which I had never even tasted before.
LBLev
Butler, NJ
4/8/2012
Found this to be boring. Needs some kind of spice. I agree with a previous reviewer that more pepper would help.
Anonymous
San Francisco
3/19/2012
This was so simple and yet so tasty. I was in a hurry (quite typical) so I pressure cooked the potatoes and cut the cabbage into smaller chunks to steam. I also used 2 eggs and used 2 pie plates because I wanted it to cook a bit quicker. No scallions but onions worked quite fine. A great St. Patrick's day meal.
sandra01
Northeast Iowa
3/18/2012
Great recipe. We loved it for St Patrick's day dinner tonight. Changes: I didn't use the egg, and made vegan style substituting olive oil for butter, and only used about a Tbs. Added salt and a generous amount of black pepper, which I think is important in enhancing the flavors of potatoes & cabbage. It baked up beautifully.
nanstark
Portland OR
3/18/2012
Heaven on a plate!
Brownie1127
Albuquerque
3/17/2012
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