Pratie Apple/Potato Apple Cake

Potatoes and apples aren’t a very familiar combination to most, but sometimes they go hand in hand, especially in Co. Armagh and Tyrone. Although not usually seen in modern times outside of Ulster, or even outside of Armagh, at one point this was a treat made in a bastible in southern Ireland as well.

Also known as apple fadge, potato apple cakes were popular during autumn and on Halloween, where they played a big role in the festivities. Part pierogi, part dumpling, part turnover, “made in good old country fashion there should be so much butter that it runs out on to the dish and forms a regular sauce.” Although usually made at home, Florence Irwin saw them in small shops in Co. Armagh, where they were “sold over the counter before they had properly cooled.”

“In the old days they wold rake some glowing red embers under the pot oven and pop in the cakes, with a few members on the lid.”

Both the National Library of Scotland and Fresno State catalogued a broadside ballad called “Apple Praties” dated to 1951 with the following description: “the singer is from Killarney and in tracing his pedigree each name has a Mac or O. St Patrick banished the frogs and toads from Ireland. No braver heroes can be found than those from “Ireland where the apple praties grow””

Pratie Apple Recipe

Adapted from John Murphy’s Traditional Irish Recipes and various sources – the recipe is consistent across. Avoid overworking the dough as much as you can. Adding the sugar beforehand can make the cakes soggy, so it’s best to wait until the end.

INGREDIENTS

1lb potatoes

4oz flour

½ tsp salt

1oz butter

METHOD

1. Boil and mash potatoes. If baking, preheat oven to 350°F/180°C/gas mark 4.

2. Mix in flour and knead lightly to make a pliable dough.it.

3. Roll out dough into rounds.

4. Slice apples and place on top of one round. Place another on top and pinch the edges to seal.

5. Cook on both sides in a hot pan or griddle until apples or soft, or bake for about 20 minutes.

6. Slice around or cut a cross into the top, peel back and add as much butter and sugar as you wish. You can pop it back on the heat or into the oven for a few minutes until it melts.