Turnips 2 Tangerines: Colcannon

On the Menu Today~
Colcannon

Colcannon is a much loved dish served in Ireland.
It is the sequential dish that is the ultimate of comfort foods.
For some, is brings back many warm, fond, childhood memories,
of their mothers, grandmothers and aunts, making this comforting dish...

This Irish dish even has a song written about it...
In my research on Irish's dishes,
it seems most things in Ireland
has a song attached to it.
Ahh, you gotta love the Irish~

This Recipe was Featured on CCN~
Culinary Content Network~ The Daily Meal

"This song is dedicated to all of those who have warm memories of the
special treats our mothers, grandmothers or aunts would make for us.
They just knew what we loved and as a surprise we would get our favorite treat...."

Colcannon

Ingredients

4 pounds or 7 to 8 large potatoes, scrubbed (older potatoes or russet potatoes are best, waxy potatoes won't do)
1 head green cabbage
1 cup milk
1 stick butter, divided into thirds
4 to 5 scallions, chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
fresh parsley, for garnish

Cooking Directions

Put potatoes in a large pot, cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and let potatoes steam until fork tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove potatoes from water, set aside to cool. Do not drain water, bring water to a boil.
While the potatoes are cooking, remove the core from the cabbage, slice the leaves thinly, and put into a large saucepan. Cover cabbage with boiling potato water, keep at a slow rolling boil until the cabbage is just wilted and has turned a darker green. This can take anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the cabbage. Don't let the cabbage overcook, if anything, the cabbage should be under-cooked.
When the cabbage is cooked, drain it well, squeeze to get any excess moisture out, then return to the saucepan. Add one third of the butter and cover. Leave it covered and in a warm place, but not on a burner, with the butter melting gently into it while you continue.
When the potatoes are soft, drain the water and return the potatoes to the saucepan. Set the burner to low, leaving the lid off so that any excess moisture can evaporate from the potatoes. When they are perfectly dry, add the milk to the saucepan, along with a third of the butter and the chopped scallions. Allow the milk to warm but not boil, it's about right when the butter has fully melted and the pot is starting to steam.
With a potato masher or a fork, mash the potatoes thoroughly into the butter/milk mixture. Do Not pass potatoes through a ricer or worse, beat with an electric mixer.
Mix the cabbage thoroughly through the mashed potatoes. Before serving, season with a little salt and pepper. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or chives. Most importantly, make a well in the center of the mound of potatoes and put the last third of butter in the well to melt.