If yer Irish, step inta the paaa-laaa!

   

Let's face it, corned beef and cabbage is not for everyone.  For as long as I can remember, every year my large extended family got together for corned beef and cabbage on St. Patty's day.  They still do, in fact.  Seeing as I've never been much of an enthusiast for the salty, stringy corned beef, I mostly just ate the potatoes and carrots.  I thought perhaps I might grow into having a taste for this meal, but so far this hasn't happened.

Although my husband is of New England Irish descent on both of his parents sides, I was astounded to discover he'd never actually tasted a boiled dinner.  (Hey, how did he escape doing that?)  I decided to cook one for him a few years back, carefully following both my Dad's instructions as well as the ones that came with the beef.  I served Hubby a heaping plateful of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots and breathlessly awaited his reaction, which turned out to be:

"Is it supposed to taste like this?" 

(Was it supposed to taste like this, of COURSE it was supposed to taste like this!)  This was not the loving response I'd been hoping for, though I sensed he was aiming for diplomacy.  He proceeded to politely inquire if I'd perhaps not cooked it correctly.  I reacted calmly: 

"Of course I cooked it right!  That's how it's supposed to taste!"   

It turns out Hubby just likes to eat the vegetables, too.  I can't say I blame him.   

This year I won't be preparing corned beef, but there are a number of other nostalgic ways in which I like to mark this occasion.  (And they do not all include getting plastered and singing The Unicorn Song, although that doesn't sound like a bad idea, either.) 

I might play my Tommy Makem and The Clancy Brothers record, or maybe pop my ancient Darby O'Gill and The Little People VHS tape into my dusty VCR.  Incidentally, have you seen this movie?  If you haven't, I suggest you do.  Sure, this film is rife with stereotypes and a few shockingly poor attempts at the Irish brouge, but it remains charming all the same.  I'd even go so far as to say it's Sean Connery's finest work.  And I still cover my eyes when the wailing Banshee comes to take poor Darby away.  She is nothing short of terrifying. 

This Saint Patrick's Day, The Odd Broad raises a toast to her handsome Irish grandfather, Pa, who is no doubt somewhere up in Heaven eating a plate of corned beef.  xoxo 

Comments

[weinerdog]

I am sooooo jealous that you own a copy of Darby O' Gill!!!!!

Ah, I lurve that movie!!!!

[Ma]

Dad and I took Auntie Kim and Uncle John to see Darby O'Gill at the Rialto Theater...it was one of our first dates...John was two and cute as a button, even when he threw a coat hanger at dad! I wish we were having corned beef and cabbage (minus the corned beef) together...I miss you and can't wait to see you next week!!

[The Odd Broad]

Weiner, I will SO let you borrow my copy of Darby O'Gill...if you have a VCR, that is...Ma, I can't wait to see you, either! xoxo

[weinerdog]

I was passed out when you called me!
Too much Guinness!