ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — If you’ve never heard of Irish Potatoes before, you’re likely not alone, especially if you hail from the South. Unique to the Philadelphia region, the Irish Potato candy was neither invented in Ireland nor is it made from potato. Irish Potato candies are small soft confections designed to look like tiny potatoes, with a white center and brown exterior. They’re typically made from a coconut flavored cream filling, which is molded into small, slightly oblong potato-sized pieces. Each candy is then rolled in cinnamon, giving it the appearance of a freshly dug-up potato.
Historians say that Irish Potatoes were first made in Philadelphia by Irish immigrant candy makers, originating back to the late 1800s or early 1900s. If you walk into almost any candy store in Philadelphia around mid-March, you will likely discover boxes of the candy potato, displayed near the usual chocolates and fudge, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
Like many regional foods, the candy may evoke a sort of nostalgia around the holiday. “I grew up eating Irish Potatoes every St. Patrick’s Day,” says Jeannine Kienzle, Marketing Associate, at West Village Market. “I remember my Dad bringing home boxes of Oh Ryan’s Irish Potatoes, a local candy manufacturer, on St. Patrick’s Day. My Mom also made them from scratch and I’d help roll the candy in cinnamon, sneaking bites of the batter during the process.”
Two large Philadelphia candy companies, Oh Ryan’s and Shane Candy Company, produce the most Irish Potatoes this time of year, using machines that measure, cut, and roll the filling into balls, and another machine that coats each one in cinnamon.
“I’m over the moon excited to make a small batch of vegan Irish Potatoes to share with the Asheville community,” Jeannine exclaimed. “I brought it up to Rosanne Kiely, Owner of West Village Market, and she thought it was a fun idea and supported me in the endeavor. Unlike the large, Philly candy manufacturers, these will be handmade in the Market’s kitchen, and hand-rolled in cinnamon, quite a tedious job, but one I love!”
“I like to think I’m channeling my ancestors on my German side, who owned a candy shop in the early 1900s, on Frankford Avenue, in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, named A. Fehn Confectioner Wholesale and Retail Candy Store, with a bit of the luck of the Irish, of course!”, Jeannine laughed.
If Irish Potato candy intrigues you and you’d like to start a new St. Patty’s Day tradition, visit West Village Market the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day, which is Monday, March 17. Small batches will be available for sale in the refrigerated Grab ‘n Go case.
“May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.” – Traditional Irish Blessing