By Gabby Peyton
This Jiggs dinner with pease pudding meal has been the Sunday dinner of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for the better part of a century. This recipe is flexible when it comes to the amount and variety of root veg included because it’s all in one big pot. Do you like potatoes more than carrots? Add more potatoes. Like parsnip? Chuck them in! It’s always served with canned beets and/or mustard pickles.
For special occasions, Jiggs is accompanied by roast turkey or chicken and lots of delicious gravy.
Learn more about the history of Jiggs Dinner in this article: The HIstory of the Iconic Jiggs Dinner.
Jiggs Dinner with Pease Pudding
Ingredients
- 2 lb salt beef
- 1 cup yellow split peas
- 1 head of green cabbage cut into large wedges
- 4-6 carrots peeled and cut into quarters lenghtwise
- 1 large turnip peeled, halved cut into wedges
- 6-8 potatoes peeled and cut in half
- 2-3 Tbsp butter
- black pepper to season
Instructions
- The night before, break salt beef into big chunks and soak in water overnight, at least 8-10 hours. Put split peas into a bowl and cover with water to soak overnight.
- Drain the salt beef and place it into a large stockpot. Cover with fresh water, at least 6-7 litres. Place the split peas into a pease pudding canvas bag or triple layer of cheesecloth and tie, making sure to leave room for peas to expand inside the bag.
- Put the bag inside the pot, tying the strings to the outside handle so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot with the salt beef. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 2 hours.
- Remove the peas pudding bag and empty contents into a bowl, mixing with butter and pepper for taste. Set aside.
- Add your cabbage to the pot and boil for 20 more minutes. Then add turnip, carrots and potatoes then boil for 20 more, or until vegetables are tender.
- Remove salt beef and vegetables from the pot and put them on a platter.
- Use the cooking liquid in two ways; as a pot liquor which some people like to drink or reduce it to make a jus or gravy to pour over the meal.