Irish Potatoes

Do Not Let The Name Fool You

by Renee Leventon

The Irish potato candy is in fact not from Ireland, nor is it a potato. The large marble treats began in the Philadelphia area and are commonly popular around Saint Patrick’s Day. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated every 17th of March. According to Irish literature experts, Saint Patrick was kidnapped by pirates and forced into slavery in Ireland. There, Saint Patrick herded sheep and focused on religion. Finally, after six years he was able to run away to his home in Britain. Back home Patrick became a priest, and had a dream that the people of Ireland were begging him to return and convert them into Christians. He studied and prepared for many years before traveling back to Ireland as a missionary. Saint Patrick caused a religious shift in the people with power such as the nobles, and from there the people followed. Today, St. Patrick’s Day comes with many traditions, one of which is wearing the color green. Originally, the color blue was associated with the holiday but in old Irish literature the Saint Patrick used a shamrock to demonstrate the Holy Trinity to his people, which inspired shamrock designs on clothing. Soon after, Irish soldiers wore head to toe green uniforms on March 17th to catch people’s attention during the 1798 rebellion. From then on green became the worldwide color of Saint Patrick’s Day. On St. Patty’s Day family and friends gather to remember Saint Patrick and enjoy the day with parades, parties, drinks, and wearing green. The St. Patty’s Day parade in New York City was inspired by Shamrock Clubs that party for days in Ireland on the weekend of March 17th. Since St. Patrick’s Day is close to the first day of spring many people like to view it as the green signs of the new season. Hopefully you now have a better understanding of the history of St. Patty’s Day, along with the yummy recipe below!

Ingredients: Irish Potatoes

 1/4 cup butter, softened  1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese  1 teaspoon vanilla extract  4 cups confectioners' sugar  2 1/2 cups flaked coconut  1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Di re ct ion s:

1. Beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth in a medium bowl 2. Add the vanilla and confectioners' sugar; beat until smooth 3. Mix in the coconut with a spoon 4. Roll into balls or potato shapes 5. Roll in the cinnamon 6. Place onto a cookie sheet and chill to set for about one hour 7. If desired, roll potatoes in cinnamon again for darker color and/or roll again in the confectioners’ sugar for more flavor

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/irish-potato-candy/ http://whydyoueatthat.wordpress.com/2011/03/19/green-beer-and-irish-potatoes-candy/ http://www.theholidayspot.com/patrick/historyofpatrick.htm