St. Patrick’s Day isn’t an official legal holiday in the United States, but don’t tell that to anyone who’ll be “wearin’ the green,” as well as drinking it (beer, that is).

And while corned beef and cabbage (as well as Guinness) get their due attention and appreciation, one traditional, historic Irish staple gets relegated to back-of-the-dish status, and it’s about time it got its props … the potato!

Here are a few.

Boxty (Irish Potato Pancakes) Makes 6 to 8 Servings:

2 Lbs     (3 to 4 large)    Yukon Gold or Russet Potatoes

¾ Cup                              Half & Half (milk will also do)

1 ½ tsp                              Sea Salt (or Kosher Salt)

1                                           Extra-Large Egg

1/3 to ½ Cup                    All-Purpose Flour

½ tsp                                  Freshly Ground Black Pepper

½ Stick                               Salted Butter

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 F.
2. Peel all the potatoes, cut half of the potatoes into large pieces and cook in simmering water until tender.
3. Drain the potatoes well.
4.  Mash with the milk, salt and pepper.
5. Beat the egg and mash into the potato mixture.
6. Sprinkle about 1/3 cup of the flour over the mashed potato mixture and beat in. If the mixture is a bit watery, add a bit more flour.
7. Take the remaining raw potatoes and shred them coarsely with a box grater. Use the ¼” size hole side.
8. Do not rinse but rather squeeze out ALL of the resulting potato liquid. Use some paper towels to pat dry.
9. Add the shredded potatoes to the mashed potato mixture and stir in.
10. Using a non-stick fry pan, on medium-high heat, add about 1 TBSP of butter to the hot pan, swirl around to coat the bottom evenly, and then portion each potato pancake using about ¼ cup of the mashed mixture per cake.
11. Fry on each side about 4 or 5 minutes (or until medium brown). As each batch of cakes is done, place it on a baking sheet. When all the potatoes are finished, pop them into a 350 F. oven for about 2 to 3 minutes to reheat them, and then serve.

Traditional Irish Potato Farls Makes about 8 Farls:

1 ¼ Lbs                           Peeled Idaho/Russet Potatoes

2 TBSP                            Melted Salted Butter

1 Cup                              All-Purpose Flour

½ tsp                              Baking Soda

To Taste                          Sea Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper

As Needed                      Additional Flour for Kneading

As Needed                      Vegetable Spray Oil

1. Cook potatoes in simmering water until tender, and then drain well.
2. Mash potatoes in a medium-size bowl with melted butter, and then salt and pepper to taste.
3. Sprinkle baking soda and about ¾ of the flour over the potatoes and mash in.
4. Turn dough onto a work counter and carefully knead the remaining flour into the potato mixture until it is like a soft dough.
5. Heat a non-stick skillet on medium-high heat, and spray it liberally with vegetable spray. Alternately, you can use a few teaspoons of vegetable oil.
6. Divide dough in half, and then flatten each half piece into a round, flat pancake about ¼” thick and 6” in diameter.
7. Cut each round into 4 equal triangles by cutting in half through the middle, then in half again.
8. Place the pieces onto the hot skillet and pan fry on each side about 2 to 3 minutes or until medium brown and crispy on each side.
9. Serve warm.

Irish Colcannon Makes about 6 servings:

1 ½ Lbs.              Idaho/Russet Potatoes, Peeled and Quartered

2 Cups                Baby Kale, Chopped Coarsely

1/2 Cup              Green Onions, Chopped

¼ Cup                Green Onions, Minced

1 Stick               Salted Butter

To Taste             Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

1. Blanch kale in simmering water for 1 minute, and then drain and place in a blender with the ½ cup of chopped green onions. Pulse ONLY, leaving mixture only partially pureed.
2. Simmer the potatoes in water until tender, drain, season with salt and pepper, and then mash with the salted butter and the kale mixture.
3. Place in a serving bowl and sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup green onions.

Note: Cabbage can be substituted for kale, and the green part of knob onions can be substituted for the green onions.

For other great Irish recipes, here’s a mix of over 60 from Delish.