Saint Patrick’s Day is the day of celebration in the name of a Christian missionary, keeping up with family traditions of our own, and eating green food – if you’re into that. Although many folks enjoy the brightly colored foods and drinks, the heart and soul of the holiday lies in the celebration of Saint Patrick’s life.
Patrick of Ireland spent six years of his youth as a prisoner of Irish pirates. After managing to escape sometime in his early 20s, he returned to his family. He studied to become a bishop and devoted his life to serving God, as Patrick says it was God who saw him through the trying times of captivity. He traveled throughout Ireland building churches and converting fellow countrymen to Christianity. He used the now widely recognized shamrock to explain the Christian doctrine of the holy trinity, and it became Saint Patrick’s symbol. Patrick is believed to have died on March 17, 461 A.D., and this day was there-after observed as a day to celebrate the life of Saint Patrick.
Many folks celebrate Saint Patrick’s feast day by gathering around the table to enjoy some delicious Irish cuisine while paying homage to the patron saint of Ireland. A person can’t go wrong with the standard corned beef and cabbage, which is a breeze to make – a brined beef brisket, cabbage, carrots, potatoes and spices go into a stockpot or slow cooker, and a couple hours later, you have a meal fit for a king, or Saint Patrick himself.
If you’re looking to try some deliciously different eats this March 17, here are several simple recipes that will do the feast day for Saint Patrick justice.
