Irish traditions and recipes you shouldn’t miss this Halloween

Love it or hate it. No, I’m not talking about Normal People here, but I am talking about another famous Irish export: Halloween. 

The origin of Halloween dates back to the festival or season of Samhain, the midpoint between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. The word samhain is Irish, meaning “summer’s end”. It was (and still is) the season of the final harvest of the year, when the remaining produce is stored for the winter. For the people back then it was like a modern New Year, coming from the Celtic tradition that each day begins at sundown. On Samhain night, the dead and the faeries can walk around the world of the living, resulting both in magic and chaos. In Ireland, a big bonfire was lit on the Hill of Tlachtga (also known as Hill of Ward). Wearing charms for protection against the dead and the faeries probably was one of the reasons why Samhain became a night for divination. 

I’ve read about many different Samhain traditions the Celts used to learn about their future, especially for young girls who wanted to learn the name of their future husband. There was the technique of burning nuts and looking at which nuts exploded and which didn’t or baking cakes and eating them in silence to encourage prophetic dreams. The origin of our modern jack-o’-lantern derives from the wandering spirits on Samhain: while the glow of the lantern was meant as a beacon for the spirits of beloved family members and friends that had died, the terrible faces carved into the pumpkin, turnip, or other root vegetable, was meant to frighten away the dead who came with ill intentions. 

As a child my granny used to tell me to leave some food (and a fork or spoon to eat it) as an offering to the “ghosts”. 

Nowadays, Halloween is more about having fun and wearing costumes than it is about dead spirits and faeries. Although Halloween 2021 is still going to be different from all the Halloween nights we’ve known before the pandemic, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do. 

Here are my favourite Halloween traditions and recipes:

Jack-o’-lanterns

This is so much fun with kids! I loved it when my Mam carved turnips and pumpkins with me and it was lovely to see them glowing outside when it got dark in the evenings. Nowadays, without my Mam and without the motivation to do it myself (I prefer to eat the turnips and pumpkins now), I still love seeing them in our neighbourhood. (Yeah, I’m super lazy and without any talent whatsoever when it comes to decorating and DIY 👋) 

Costumes 

What was your favourite Halloween costume growing up? For me, it was hands-down dressing up as a witch! For Halloween this year, I’m obviously not doing anything (or is there a “in PJs on the couch with the dogs” costume?) but I don’t know if I’ll ever top my favourite childhood costume anyway! How about you, friend? What was your favourite Halloween costume growing up?

The tradition of wearing costumes seems to be dating back to the Celtic traditions and Samhain, too. Especially Celtic Druids would wear costumes so that they wouldn’t be carried away at the end of the night by the spirits. I guess that’s why dressing up as witches and ghosts is still so famous nowadays. Are you dressing up at home this year? I can’t wait to see your costumes! 

Colcannon 

Colcannon is an Irish potato dish traditionally eaten on Halloween. I love potatoes and therefore enjoy Colcannon quite often, especially in autumn and winter. I bet you’re going to like it, too.

Here’s my favourite recipe for vegan Colcannon:

• 4-5 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered 

• 1 cabbage head or kale (chopped)

• 1/4 cup chopped onions or scallions 

• 1 cup soy milk (+ 2 tbsp. vegan butter if you wish)

• salt & pepper 

You might even hide a ring in the colcannon (or as the tradition goes, coins for the children to find and keep) but I’m not sure I’d do it. 😂

Barmbrack

Absolutely LOVE it! Every Halloween, I tell myself I have to bake it more often  because I love it so much and well… than it’s October again. Barmbrack has its origin in the Irish Báirín Breac and is the traditional Irish Halloween cake I know. If you like you can add a ring (for love) and a coin (for a prosperous year). 

Ingredients

• 300ml black tea 

• 250g mixed dried fruits (I usually only use raisins) 

• 1/2 banana, mashed

• 240g flour (I use Doves Farm)

• 1 heaped teaspoon baking powder (or use self-raising flour)

• 1 tbsp molasses (optional) 

• 100g soft dark brown sugar (I use maple syrup instead) 

Add fruits to the hot tea. Mix with the maple syrup / dissolve in the sugar. Let the mixture soak for about 15-20 minutes. Mix baking powder and flour (if not using self-raising flour). Add the liquid mixture and stir well. Add the mashed banana and pour the barmbrack into a loaf tin. My barmbrack usually takes between 90-110 minutes at 170 degrees Celsius. You might need less time, so be sure to check until a metal skewer comes out clean.

Press your objects of choice (coin, ring, rag/cloth, thimble) into the cake through the bottom after baking and before serving. 

Snap apple

There are many games that can be played on Halloween and snap apple is one of them. 

Usually an apple hangs from a string and the goal is to get a decent bite of the apple while being blindfolded and with your arms tied behind your back. You might also know bobbling for apples, where some apples are dropped into a basin of water and you have to go in headfirst and try to get a bite. My mam loved games and as she was a social (education) worker, her game repertoire was endless. I can’t think of a birthday party in my childhood when we didn’t have to play games like these. 

Whatever you are doing this Halloween, stay safe and have fun! And let me know what you are up to!

Etta x