Pasties, Tarts & Gypsy Rose Lee

Now that I’ve got you attention…..

Today’s blog has nothing to do with Gypsy Rose Lee, but everything to do with pasties and tarts.

Today we were in Falmouth, Cornwall, England. This little town is located on the far southwestern tip of England, and is also the closest channel to the Atlantic. Henry VIII (again my fixation on all things Hank) built two castles to guard the harbor mouth against Spanish invasion.

Now, back to the pasties, and that’s pasties, not pastries with an "r". These little babies are actually pronounced "past-ees").  A Cornish pasty is a pastry shell filled with chopped meat, onions and potatoes. We also saw some with pork and apples, lamb and mint jelly, spinach and cheese, and many, many more. These delectable concoctions were originally meals for the tin miners who needed a convenient way to carry their lunch or dinner to work.


Another specialty in Cornwall is their Cornish Cream Tea. Fresh scones are topped with clotted cream and jam, and served with a pot of tea. What a way to have a sit-down in the afternoon and refresh oneself with a spot of tea and a scone or perhaps tasty tart.

Today, Cornwall. Tomorrow, Dublin. Later.