Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: St. Patrick’s Day Food Ideas

Partner content: St. Patrick’s Day Food Ideas

 With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner you may be thinking of some Irish or green colored foods or beverages to feature for a family meal or gathering…. 

One that is easy to add to your meal as a side dish may be colcannon – or at least a version of this traditional Irish dish.  Traditionally colcannon is made with potatoes and cabbage, but you can also make it with kale or even spinach, which is a great way to add green vegetables to your potatoes.    

• 2-2 ½ lbs  Russett or Yukon Gold potatoes( approximately 4 large potatoes), peeled and cubed

• 1 large bag spinach leaves ( or 3 cups  lacinato, aka “dino” kale for green cabbage) chopped

• 3 green onions, chopped

• 1 cup whole milk or heavy cream

Related Items

• 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced (optional) 

• 5-6 TBSP butter (less can be used) 

Add potatoes to boiling water and cook until slightly soft when pierced with a fork (approximately 15 minutes).  While potatoes are cooking, saute onions(and garlic) in 1-2 TBSP of butter and then add the spinach/kale or cabbage and cook, stirring occasionally  until softened (approximately 5 minutes).  Note: The spinach will wilt/cook much more quickly than the kale and cabbage.  Once potatoes are done, drain water and add milk or heavy cream and butter(1-2TBSP)  and then the cooked greens to the potatoes, mashing and stirring to incorporate.  Season with salt and pepper as desired.  Typically this dish is served with additional butter  - but that’s up to you!

(Dairy alternatives for the milk/cream and butter might change the taste of this dish significantly so if you decide to use them – that’s up to you!)

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Ingles Markets Corporate Dietitian

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800-334-4936

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