Who doesn’t love St. Patrick’s Day? It’s a day where it’s okay to wear all green, drink your favorite Irish beers, and have a good time with family and friends. But, one thing we love is a delicious, succulent feast full of corned beef and cabbage. But, why do we primarily eat this breakfast dish on St. Patrick’s Day? Where does it come from?
As one of Arizona’s most popular New York-Style delis, Chompie’s offers an array of deli favorites. Whether you are looking for kosher options or opting for a more traditional deli meal, we’ve got your fix. Read our blog post below to learn why corned beef is the king of meals on St. Patrick’s Day?
Where Does the Corned Beef and Cabbage Tradition Come From?
Beef was a meat reserved for the wealthy, and most of it was exported to England. Due to The Great Famine, many Irish people set sail for the New World. In America, corned beef was readily available and many immigrants were actually able to afford the meat they were denied in their native country.
While this cut of corned beef was different from what they were making in Ireland, the meal became a beloved staple for Irish immigrants. The Irish immigrants almost solely bought their meat from kosher butchers. And what we think of today as Irish corned beef is actually Jewish corned beef thrown into a pot with cabbage and potatoes.
Why is Corned Beef and Cabbage Associated With St. Patrick’s Day?
St. Patrick’s Day, or The Feast of St. Patrick, is historically a day for faith and reflection, celebrated by sharing cultural lore and honoring the saint himself.According to Butcher Boy, there are many similarities between the historic celebrations of honoring the saint and our traditions today.
Observing the old ways in remembrance of their homeland helped unite the scattered Irish migrants. So, as they did in Ireland, Irish-Americans carried over the tradition of wearing shamrocks and enjoying Irish libations, such as Guinness and Irish whiskey. You probably see where this is going. Because corned beef was a big part of their culture in Ireland and new home in America, they would eat corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day.
And as for pairing cabbage with corned beef, it was simply one of the cheapest vegetables available to Irish immigrants, so it was a side dish that stuck.
What Exactly is Corned Beef?
Corned beef is made from brisket, a relatively inexpensive cut of beef. The meat goes through a long curing process using large grains of rock salt, or “corns” of salt, and a brine. It’s then slowly cooked, turning a tough cut of beef into one that’s super tender and flavorful.
Get Your Corned Beef Fix at Chompie’s!
Looking to honor St. Patrick right with this holiday staple? Stop by a Chompie’s location near you on March 17th, for an all-you-can-eat special that includes our famous corned beef, broiled red potatoes, cabbage, and fresh baked Irish soda bread for only 25.99 per person!
Since 1979, Chompie’s has been the restaurant of choice for Arizonians looking for a New York Style food that serves items like bagels, mile-high sandwiches, salads, and colossal Ruebens. We are proud of our long history of service and look forward to creating experiences you won’t forget.Visit one of our locationstoday and see why we’ve become one of Arizona’s favorite delis to date.
