Fortunately my sense of whimsy got the better of me, and I decided to use them to make a fish pie to honour the Suffragettes. The Women's Social and Political Union adopted the colours purple (for dignity), white (for purity) and green (for hope) in 1908, and used it on their campaign materials and in commemorative jewellery. Apparently it is only a myth that green, white and violet stood for "give women the vote", but it is a myth that I like.
So - my Suffragette fish pie - a layer of spinach with spring onions mixed through, well-seasoned with nutmeg and pepper, a layer of smoked haddock and white "I don't need to label this, I will remember what it is" in a thick white sauce, made from the fish poaching liquor (milk and white wine, with bay leaves and pepper corns) and a top layer of purple mashed potato.
15 comments:
Great colors!
very clever. Did it taste different?
CdP - thank you!
Mother - no, just tastes like normal potatoes! Has lots of healthy anthocyanins in it though, apparently.
And I never knew that about the Suffragettes. I love a good fish pie, and this definitely made good use of the purple mash. I've never actually tried purple potatoes, but you've definitely inspired me to give them a go the next time I come across them.
I love your sense of whimsy! ;-) Funny, I was just catching up on Mr. Selfridge on PBS (the first season is playing now here) and the last episode I saw had the Suffragettes protesting in front of the store. I kept thinking that I liked the colors of their flag. Thanks for sharing what those colors symbolize. (And the pie looks great!) ;-)
I am impressed that it held the colour. I have cooked purple congo potatoes in the past and ended up with purple water and an unappealing grey potato. This could be a lot of fun!
Sue - look out for Purple Majesty, they keep their colour better than some of the other purple-fleshed potatoes.
Deb - is Mr Selfridge good? I haven't seen any of it!
Mother - do you remember, we had something made with purple potatoes for my birthday at Kasbah on Darling, September 11 2001.
10th wasn't it? The day before. I only remember the most amazing beans.
They sure keep their color nicely. Did not know that about the suffragettes....trying to remember what the colors were in the Mary Poppins first scene.
Mother - I thought it was the 10th but we woke up to the news, so surely it was the 11th?
Barbara - I think Mrs Banks wears those colours but in pastel shades.
purple potatoes are a revelation! favorite color, favorite tuber. :)
It take a bit of time to get used to the purple color. I like what you made with them.
I love the colours of this dish! it looks delicious too!
Grace - haha! Glad you liked them!
Simona - I did have to take a deep breath before my first bite.
Jenny - I do love fish pie. I don't necessarily think I will buy these potatoes again, although a red and purple flannel hash would be fun.
Quite lovely and whimsical.
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