Continuing my research of Irish recipes I ran across this interesting one for Colcannon. I've never heard of it before, but it doesn't look too difficult or fancy. It's made from hearty, stick-to-your-ribs potatoes, cabbage, leeks or onions and a bit of bacon. Colcannon can be a main entrée or a side dish. 

Colcannon 

• Ingredients
• 2 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 slices bacon
• 1/2 small head cabbage, chopped
• 1 large leek white, chopped
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter, melted 
• salt and pepper to taste
•  

Place potatoes in a saucepan with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender.

Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, reserving drippings, crumble and set aside.

In the reserved drippings, sauté the cabbage and onion until soft and translucent. Putting a lid on the pan helps the vegetables cook faster.

Drain the cooked potatoes, mash with milk and season with salt and pepper.

Fold in the bacon, cabbage, and onions, then transfer the mixture to a large serving bowl. Make a well in the center, and pour in the melted butter. Serve immediately

From food historian Brenda Hyde of the Harvest Moon Gazette...

Colcannon is traditionally made on All Saints Day or Halloween and some families would leave out a plate of it, with a lump of butter in the center, for the fairies and the ghosts. There is even a traditional Irish song that was written long ago about colcannon that you can sing while preparing it!

Did you ever eat colcannon

When 'twas made with yellow cream

And the kale and praties blended

Like the picture in a dream?

 Did you ever take a forkful

And dip it in the lake

Of heather-flavored butter

That your mother used to make?

Oh, you did, yes you did!

So did he and so did I,

And the more I think about it

Sure, the more I want to cry.

God be with the happy times

When trouble we had not,

And our mothers made Colcannon

In the little three-legged pot.

The little, three-legged pot was known as a Bastable oven, which looked a little like a cauldron with a lid that was put over a fire and used as an oven to bake bread and other dishes. 

Traditional charms were put in the colcannon that symbolized different things. A button Meant you would remain a bachelor and a thimble meant you would remain a spinster for the coming year. A ring meant you would get married and a coin meant you would come into wealth.three-legged pot