The Cuisine Of Inishmaan: 8 Common Foods In 1930’s Inishmaan

Irish-British Playwright Martin McDonagh’s critically-acclaimed dark comedy, THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, is in its final weeks on Broadway, starring Broadway veteran Daniel Radcliffe as the disabled orphan Billy Claven living on the Irish island town of Inishmaan. Here we highlight some of the foods mentioned in the play and shed light on Ireland’s traditional cuisine.

BREAKFAST

Po-tay-to, po-tah-to.

Praitie Cake/Boxty

Via search.chow.com

Praitie is an Irish colloquial term for potato, and there are plenty of dishes in Ireland that use potatoes. Sometimes known as boxty, praitie cakes are pancakes made from mashed potatoes and are often eaten for breakfast. Young Billy Claven’s Aunt Eileen can whip some up to go with your tea. If you have some extra cheese in your fridge, also try the Cheesy Praities that the egg-smashing Helen McCormack has to offer.

Irish Omelette

Via ballymaloecountryrelish.ie

Speaking of potatoes, why not try an Irish omelette? Similar in consistency and preparation to a frittata, an Irish omelette combines fresh eggs and mashed potatoes for a perfect slice of textures. You can ask resident newsman Johnnypateenmike to make you some, but considering he still hasn’t cooked his mammy the omelette he promised her weeks ago, you would be better off making it yourself.

LUNCH and DINNER

Are ye getting hungry yet?

Winkles

Via mjwhitefishmongers.co.uk

Winkles is short for periwinkles, a type of edible snail—yes, snail. Periwinkles are a common delicacy in many areas of the world, including parts of Africa, Asia and Europe. Although there are many various and delicious ways to prepare it (deep-fried or steamed are the most popular), general consensus suggests that it is painstaking to make. Give it a try, though, and you can be sure that the neighbors will come visit to exchange some town gossip!

Beetroot Paella

Via pinterest.com

Paella is traditionally a Valencian dish (Valencia, Spain), but its popularity has spread the flavorful rice dish to many of Spain’s neighboring countries. Beetroot paella is simply paella with beets in it – the deep magenta color of the beetroot gives the dish an unmistakable vibrant hue. Johnnypateenmike has been cooking beetroot paella for himself and his mammy for sixty years; he can likely give you tips about its preparation.

DESSERTS

We always can go for some nice sweeties.

Jam Roly-Poly

Via realfood.tesco.com

Originally a British dessert, a jam roly-poly is a jam-filled, rolled suet pudding (pudding in the British sense) that is steamed or baked. It was often called shirt-sleeve pudding because it was sometimes served in an unneeded shirt. Babbybobby’s late wife Annie was apparently not the best at making jam roly-polies, but we’re sure she tried her best.

Irish Cheese Platter

Via irishfarmsteadcheese.com

Billy Claven is known to often spend a lot of time reading and looking at cows. Irish cows produce some fine milk used to make a wide variety of great Irish cheeses. Pair them with the different types of bread that Ireland is known for, and you have yourself a tasty snack.

BEVERAGES

There's more than just Guinness.

Poteen

Via upload.wikimedia.org

Poteen (also known as poitín) is a very strong alcoholic drink distilled from the humble potato. Traditionally, it was made in small pots, hence the name pot-een (the Irish suffix -een signifies that something is little). It was illegal in Ireland for 300 years and only recently regained its legality. It is Mammy O’Dougal’s beverage of choice, despite her advanced age and her doctor’s orders to lay off alcohol.

Tea

Via dreamteaboutique.com

For those who are looking for something not quite so strong, they can always rely on tea. Ireland leads the world in tea drinking, with the highest amount of tea consumed per capita. Drinking tea is an essential part of an Irish lifestyle. Just remember one thing: it is nearly impossible to refuse tea if you are a guest in an Irish home, so don’t even try.

The strictly limited engagement of THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN is currently running on Broadway until July 20, 2014. Get tickets now! www.crippleofinishmaan.com