Colcannon

What it really is

Colcannon is an Irish potato mash mixed with cabbage or kale, usually enriched with butter and milk. Spring onion or scallion is a common addition, though the greens and proportions vary by region and household.

The potatoes are boiled and mashed, then combined with cooked greens and dairy. Some versions use kale instead of cabbage or add spring onion for a mild allium flavour.

Colcannon is a mash in which cooked greens are mixed through potatoes, rather than a separate cabbage dish served beside mashed potato. Cabbage and kale are both found in Irish versions; spring onion or scallion may be used for an allium note, and butter and milk enrich the mash. The entity models the cabbage-and-spring-onion form. That choice should be kept visible in ingredient records because greens and dairy additions can differ by kitchen. Some servings place a well of melted butter in the centre, but the page does not treat a garnish as universal. Colcannon is often served as a side with a main course, though it can be offered on its own. State whether the mash contains milk and butter, especially where a menu otherwise describes it simply as potatoes and greens. The greens are cooked before they are folded into the mash, so they soften without replacing the potato base.

How it's served

• Serve hot as a side dish, often with a well in the center for melted butter.
• It may accompany meat or be served as a simple meal on its own.

How to write it on the menu

• Say whether the greens are cabbage or kale and identify the dairy.
• Mention any extra ingredients, such as spring onion, that define the kitchen's version.