Using Black Potatoes

Black potatoes were used in a special way. They were not fit for eating on their own so they were used to make boxty. They would scrape the black potatoes with a piece of tin and add some flour and water to bring it all together. Some salt was also added and then it was put on the griddle to cook. Sometimes people would put it into a pot of gruel.

Collector: J.J. O’Dowd

Informant: Unknown

Place: Gallagh, Co. Galway

Footnote: Duchas, ‘The Schools’ Collection’, www.duchas.ie