In this instance, pasties is the plural of pasty, pronounced past-ey rather than paste-ey. (However, if this clarification has disapointed you and you are in the market for some nipple pasties, take a gander here.) But on to the real pasty (past-ey)... The best way I can describe a pasty to someone who has not yet had one is that they are very similar to a calzone in that it is a semi-circle shaped pastry with filling inside. You know, like a pizza thats been folded up on it's self.
Traditional Cornish Pasty |
As we discussed previously with Stilton cheese, certain foods which have strong roots in a certain geographical area can be granted what is called Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status. In 2002, the Cornish Pasty Association applied for such status for the Cornish Pasty and are still waiting for a response from the European Commission. If PGI status is granted, it would mean only pasty manufacturers who are based in Cornwall and who follow the traditional method and recipie would legally be able to call their products Cornish pasties.
Outside Cornwall, you can get a pasty filled with just about anything, but the ingredients are usually hearty choices such as meats and potatoes (although many versions of vegetarian pasties are readily available as well). Don't tell the purists at the Cornish Pasty Association, but I even spotted a Christmas Dinner pasty at Waitrose this week!
As you can probably guess, the best way to eat a pasty is on the go. In the car, on the train, on the Tube, while walking... the perfect pastry casing saves your shirt or lap from a yummy filling mess.
Want a fancy pasty? I suppose you could put in our your finest china and eat with knife and fork, but that kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it?
British Stuffs Rating: 4/5 Paddington Bears
Christmas Sushi? |
I find them to be really similar to a Chilean empanada. They are super yummy and so easy to pick up on the go at a train station. Now if I can just remember how to say it properly :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend :)
Someone else mentioned the similarity to an empanada last night..I do gave to admit the only empanada I've ever had is from Taco Bell, so I'm very unqualified to say anything about them, but apparently the only difference between an empanada and a pasty is that the insides of a pasty are raw when they are wrapped in pastry abs then cooked inside and an empanada is filled with pre-cooked ingredients.
ReplyDeleteChristmas sushi? I'm with you on this one - no thanks!
ReplyDelete