After exchanging casual comments with forum member
JPBerg about Wensleydale Cheese on another thread I got to thinking of regional delicacies in general and what my region of Cornwall is famous for.
I came up with five unique treats and considering the size of Cornwall that's a pretty high number.
First off we have the world renowned
Cornish Pasty, made
only using potatoes, turnip, onions and beef skirt with a little seasoning. Known locally as an '
oggy', a freshly made pasty is truly a meal in itself and if made right is a real treat. Not many folks know that all the ingredients, including the beef skirt are encased in the pastry raw and the pastry shell acts as a steam cooker when it is placed in the oven to cook. My personal favourite pasty shop is in Falmouth and goes by the owner's unfortunate name of Choak's Pasties!
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Second up is
Stargazy or
Starry-Gazey Pie. This is a most unusual dish as it has the heads of the pilchards poking out of the pastry! I seem to recall forum member
Chasing Embers had either tried this dish or at least heard of it?
Dating from the 16th century, it is basically a fish and potato pie. It is often made in the fishing village of Mousehole (pronounced 'MOUZEL') on what is known as Tom Bawcock's Eve, 23rd December. Never tried it myself and I doubt I ever will....It just doesn't look right to me!
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Thirdly we have
Yarg Cheese. This is allegedly a 13th century recipe of a semi hard full fat cow's cheese. Nothing unusual in that I hear you say, well this one is wrapped in nettle leaves which after maturation gives it a lovely edible rind. This is a delight to add to a ploughman's lunch in place of the traditional cheddar cheese. My preferred way is to lightly grill a pitta bread both sides, split the pitta to make a pocket then lightly butter the insides before placing in slices of Yarg afore going back under the grill. Scrumptious!
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Next up we have
Hevva Cake (sometimes erroneously called Heavy Cake). This light fruit cake dates back to the days when pilchards were caught by their thousands in nets in an operation that required much skill and speed from the fishermen. A 'spotter' or huer would be sat atop the cliffs and when he spotted a shoal of pilchards in the sea below would shout "hevva, hevva" (meaning 'here they are') whilst pointing in the direction of the shoal. If the catch was a good one the wives made Hevva Cake as a celebration!
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And finally we have the renowned
Cornish Cream Tea. This is quite simply a lightly buttered scone with strawberry jam (jelly in the States) with a good dollop of
Cornish Clotted Cream (a delicacy in its own right) sat atop the whole. In the neighbouring county of Devon they have got it all wrong as they put the strawberry jam on top of the cream which is sacrilege
. This causes much merriment when the two get together to argue it out!
This is a special treat, often served in summer with a pot of good tea. Unfortunately those such as myself with a moustache are unable to enjoy this treat without getting it all over said furry top lip
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So folks, there you have a brief gastronomic tour of the county I live in. Anyone prepared to share what your district or area is famous for in the food stakes? I should imagine there are many things folks outside the area may never have heard of.
Regards,
Jay.