Colcannon Cakes | Irish Potato Pancakes

These Colcannon Cakes are the perfect way to use up any leftover Colcannon you may have, although I can't imagine why you'd have leftovers! 

I cannot emphasize how much I loved these Colcannon cakes. They are so good. They are worth making a batch of Colcannon just to make these potato pancakes.

While we associate potatoes with Ireland, did you know that potatoes are actually native to the Americas? Potatoes (along with tomatoes) did not actually reach Europe until the 16th century. Potatoes were introduced to Ireland by Sir Walter Raleigh, and quickly became a diet staple.

When the potato blight in 19th century Europe wiped out the main staple of the working class Irish, it resulted in the Irish diaspora, mostly to the United States. Here's a great article about how potatoes ended up in North America. Such a circuitous route!

These potato pancakes are out of control good. If you'd like to get even more decadent, you could add some bacon to the mixture. Just saying.

Make ahead tip: If you have any leftover potato pancakes, just wrap them in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate. To reheat, cook them in a dry frying pan, turning them a few times until heated through. P.S. This method also works great with leftover French fries.

Colcannon Cakes Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups Colcannon
• 2/3 cups flour
• Salt and Pepper
• 4 tablespoons butter

Instructions

1. Mix the colcannon and the flour together and form the mixture into six cakes, about 3/4 inches thick. Salt and pepper both sides of the pancakes.
2. Melt the butter in a 12 inch skillet, and fry the pancakes, in two batches, four minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately. See note about about reheating leftovers.

Yield: 6 pancakes
Tags: colcannon, potatoes, mashed potatoes, kale