Source: google.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

The traditional Irish diet is simple and it is full of fresh, quality ingredients. Vegetables are plentiful, starting with potatoes, which are used in stews, soups and many other dishes. But the potato is only the beginning of the fresh vegetables used in traditional Irish cooking. Other commonly used vegetables are: cabbage, onions, leeks, sorrel, nettles, watercress, carrots, parsnips, beans, peas, garlic and mushrooms.

Fruits are eaten fresh in the summer and preserved for the rest of the year. The most common fruits are berries of all kinds and apples.

Grains are used in porridges and breads. Grains used most often are barley, oats, rye and whole-wheat. Soda bread is the most popular type of bread made of whole-wheat flour and buttermilk.

Sources of protein are seafood, meats and goose eggs. Seafood and meats are used in meat pies, soups and stews. The most common seafood used is salmon, halibut, cod, scallops, lobster, mussels and oysters. Typical, meats are lamb, beef and pork.

Also, dairy product is part of the diet. Sheep’s milk cheese is commonly used.

Honey, herbs and Irish moss (seaweed) are used to flavor food.

Tea and beer are the most popular beverages.

I think the luck of the Irish comes from eating a simple diet of fresh food.

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