Archives for September 2019

East Coast Potatoes

East Coast Potatoes are a main staple in every household since way, way back. They are so versatile; you can boil, bake, fry and mash them up with butter and milk. Yum! Yes they have carbs but “oh well” I say! Here on the East Coast we grow potatoes everywhere. Prince Edward Island is the most famous for potato growing and has been a big industry for the Islanders from the beginning of time. They sure grow a good spud in that red mud! East Coasters love potatoes! Do you? I know I sure do! Now; I am not a potato farmer and my method is not scientific but its all pretty basic anyway.

Planting Potatoes

There is nothing better than digging up your own home grown potato. Its like finding golden nuggets in the rich loomey earth. Its real easy to do and I will share what I know with advice from my farmer friends. There are so many varieties to choose from and some are better for baking or mashing. You can grow chieftans, yukon golds and my favorite is the Irish Cobblers. Planting is done early in the spring when you can till up your soil and the weather is cold. Seeds are cut from the seed potatoes you buy or save year to year. Slice the peeling with an eye attached. If you are real lucky; the seeds will have multiple ones. Now my farmer friends tell me to let these dry for a few days. In rich, fertilized soil you plant the the eye pointing upward, about 1″ down and 1′ apart. Pat the ground firm and sit back and wait. Dont forget to water.

Growing Potatoes

Once the plant takes hold; you have to hill up the earth around the base of the plant. This not only supports the plant but provides a good bed for the potaotes to grow in and keeps the potato under the soil. You dont want your potatoes showing above the soil or they will all turn green! Now let them grow! Water…water…water…! Once they flower; watch out for the dreaded potato bug. Hopefully you wont see them but if you do; you need to hand pick these little critters or they will strip your plant. Luckily I dont ever have any! But keep a mason jar of water in the graden and just put them in that. Once they are done flowering you can dig but they will be small. Once the plant is no longer green and starts to yellow; your potatoes should then be at their fullest. This usually takes me to the fall harvest. Dig up and enjoy!

Potatoe growing and planting — **Baked Potatoe**

Breakfast Baked PEI Potatoes

Ingredients

4 baked russet potatoes
4 fresh eggs
shredded cheese
pre-cooked bacon
chives
S&P

Method: serves 8

Preheat oven to 375
Slice potato in half and hollow out a small bowl in the centre
Place 1 T of butter in each
crack 1 egg in each hollow
Sprinkle with cheese, S&P and crumbled bacon
Place on cookie sheet and bake 17-25 minutes until egg is set.
Serve hot or cold

Lord Selkirk and the Scots

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Prince Edward Island has a very rich history of immigration. I will share a story about a very interesting person who played a large role in this process. The story about Lord Selkirk and the Scots.

Crofters

He was born into Scottish peerage in 1771 in Kirkudbrightshire, Scotland. He had not expected to ever inherit the family estate so he set out for Edinburg. Here he studied to become a lawyer. There was unrest in Scotland during this time. Scots were being ousted from their homes by greedy landlords. He had genuine concern for these displaced farmers or crofters. (A crofter was a tenent on a small farm or croft). I think he was born of a different kilt and thank goodness for that. Lord Selkirk was determined to resettle these people in British North America.

Scots in PEI

In 1799; he used his inheritance to finance, travel and locate places to settle these people. He purchased 80000 acres of land in present day Belfast PEI. He presented his plan to the British Government but they flatly refused to support his efforts. Financing three ships; he successfully relocated approximately 800 crofters to the island; in August of 1803. Each family was given an average of 100 acres of pure forest land; at a minimal price. The lands were alotted to groups of four families. This way they could provide support and comfort to each other while making their land habitable. His task at hand was highly successful. To this day, you can still find MacAulays, MacLeans, MacDonalds and many other Scottish surnames in PEI.

You might wonder what happened to Lord Selkirk. He went on to settle more of the crofters in Ontario and also played a major part in their settling in Winnipeg. In 1817; he departed North America after some involvement with the Hudson Bay Company. He spent his years in Europe where he died in Pau France in 1870. He certainly did well by his countrymen.

Check out the Scots recipe for Bannoch in Mamma’s East Coast Kitchen. Yum!

Bannoch Bread or Scone

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Is Bannoch a bread or scone? Is it rooted from the Scots or the Indigenous Peoples? It was originally a heavy, round, flat bread made of unleavened oatmeal or barley dough, lard and water. It was cooked on a griddle or stane(stone) on an open fire. Once it bubbled you could flip it to cook the other side. Todays bannoch uses leavened flours with a much lighter and airy texture and baked in an oven. Much like a scone. There are many many variations of ingredients and and methods of cooking. The English version was comprised of pastry rather than the bread dough.

Scottish Origin

The Scottish Bannoch was a common food in festivals and rituals and the most common one was at the changing of the Gaelic seasons. St. Brides for spring, Bealtaine for summer, Lammas for autumn harvest and Samhain for winter. There was a recipe for most any occassion. Selkirk bannoch is probably the most common and resembles a fruitcake with lots of raisins. It was named for Selkirk Scotland where it was first made.

North American Origin

Indigenous North American bannoch(Inuvialuk) is a type of flat bread. It was initially made using local resources of corn, roots, tree sap and flour from acorns and camas bulbs. It was then pan fried(stone) on an open fire. It resembled a flat bread. Today it is a traditional soul food!

There is question as to the origin of bannoch. Given the minimal resources at the time; the basic flat bread was common in England, Scotland and North America. Today’s recipes vary and you may have your favorite passed onto you by family. Bannoch; as we know it, now resembles a light and fluffy scone with or without raisins. Yum! Flat bread derives from the traditional form of Bannoch fried in a pan. Do you have a favorite recipe?

Recipe serves 8

INGREDIENTS

6 cups (1.5 L) flour

6 Tbsp (90 mL) baking powder

3 ½ cups (875 mL) milk, warmed

¼ cup (60 mL) vegetable oil

1. In large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, milk and oil. Stir until dough comes together in a ball; do not overmix. Shape into rough oval; place on baking sheet or oven-safe casserole dish.

2. Bake in 400°F (200°C) oven “until a beautiful golden brown,” about 30 minutes.

3. Serve warm or cooled.
Read more at http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/traditional-bannock/16288/#SmH57uZle4hfVwDM.99

Scots Settle in Nova Scotia

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Scottish Migration

Did you ever wonder how such a large contingent of Scottish people ended up settling in Nova Scotia? A few settlers were among the earliest arrivals to settle in Nova Scotia but major arrivals did not commence until 1773. A tall ship called “Hector” arrived in Pictou with a large group of Presbyterian Scots from the north east coast of Scotland. You can visit a replica of the ship there today. In 1775; Michael MacDonald moved to the western shore of Cape Breton from Prince Edward Island. Many of his relatives and friends soon joined him and settled the present day Inverness area of Cape Breton. The Roman Catholic Scots followed suit and settled in the Antigonish area. Others soon settled around the Bra D’or Lake region of Cape Breton by 1800.

Scotland

Scotland; at this time, was extremely over populated. People left their homelands with the prospect of owning land; and not having to live under the whims of landlords. This all cemented their decisions to journey to new beginnings. After 1820; many Scots were forced to evacuate their homes during a time known as “The Clearances”. Landlords in Scotland were evicting their tenants in order to set up more profitable sheep farms. These farms were formed by consolidating many smaller properties into one large farm. This process continued up to 1840. It was over the course if these unsettling years that the Scots settle in Nova Scotia.

Scottish Culture

Naturally the Scots settled in areas where they had kin and their gaelic language was spoken. The Scots brought their culture to NS but their greatest asset was their enthusiasm to maintain it. Lively fiddle music, the bagpipes, the dance, the highland games and the storytelling through their music were part of all family and community gatherings. Visit here and you can experience and celebrate these wonderful traditions. Immerse yourself in the culture during the Celtic Colors Festival. During this fall celebration there are concerts sharing music and dance, taste the traditional foods and be part of a Ceilidh (kitchen party) and truely experience the Scottish hospitality. “Ceud Mile Failte” which means one hundred thousand welcomes to all visitors.

You know; Nova Scotia is the latin term for New Scotland. It was given this name in 1621 based on some of the earliest arrivals to the area. So you see; this is how the Scots settle in Nova Scotia in droves! We all have a much richer heritage because of it!

Check ou the Scots recipe for Bannoch in Mamma’s East Coast Kitchen. Yum!

Welsh Settlers in NB

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In April of 1819; a group of 180 Welsh settlers bravely left their hometowns and families inWales. With minimal supplies: they set sail on the brig Albion bound for Saint John NB. They had dreams of beginning a new life in British North America and great hopes for better opportunities for their loved ones. By June of that year, they successfully landed in Saint John NB.

Land Grants

It was known amongst the settlers that the The Legislative Assembly; in Fredericton, was granting parcels of land to newcomers. So by mid July; they once again journeyed towards that hope of an opportunity for a better life. They were soon granted parcels of land approximately 15 miles outside Fredericton; towards Stanley NB. The intent was to establish their own community; of Welsh settlers in NB, in a place that would become known as Cardigan.

Homesteading

Hardships would soon prevail. They were not prepared for the hardwork, skills and supplies needed to clear the land and build shelters. With the impending arrival of a harsh Maritime winter; by September, many wandered back to the city. Thank goodness they had the presence of mind to do so. Fredericton was a small town then and this influx of immigrants caused much concern amongst the citizens. They knew first hand about the trials and tribulations of homesteading. Therefore; it was feared that the Welsh would perish from malnutrition and inadequate shelter. The kind citizens banded together and formed an Emigrant Society. They set up shelters, provided food and supplies to help them survive the coming winter.

Back in Cardigan; there were eight families who were able to settle their land and build shelters for their families. They indured a very harsh winter with the cold weather and little food. Unfortunately; a few of these brave people did perish.

Cardigan

News of the existing settlers survival; back in Cardigan, soon travelled to the settlers in Fredericton. By that spring they set out with great strength and determination to reestablish their place in their own community. The Emigration Society provided people with the knowledge, skill, and tools to help them clear their land and set up habitation. By the fall of 1820; the Welsh had set up roots in Cardigan and it soon prospered as a booming farming community.

Community

The Welsh proved to be very successful in the coming years. They made major contributions to NB and the Canadian Society that had taken them in so many years ago; when they were so vulnerable. Cardigan flourished until the end of the second World War. At this time; migration out of the rural areas had began. Today; much of the land has been reclaimed by nature but the village remains in a reduced fashion.

This past summer(2019); a celebration was held in Cardigan to commemerate the Welsh forefathers arrival to this new land; 200 years ago. We can only imagine the human suffering they indured to finally establish a community of Welsh settlers in NB. So many brave souls. We have a saying here in the Maritimes: “No Pain…No Gain!: Just maybe it came from these situations. Good, strong, people working together with their dreams and hopes in the forefront. These settler were proof positive of this axiom. We celebrate our early settlers! Be so proud!

Check out the Welsh cakes recipe in Mama’s East Coast Kitchen. Easy to make and tastey too!

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