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Traditional Black Pudding:
In the bye-gone days of the self-sufficient small farm, the West Cork
farmer provided bacon for his household from his own home-reared pigs.
When needed, a pig from the herd was killed and the meat was cured in
a large wooden barrel of salt - the main meal of the day, everyday,
for a farmer and his family was bacon and cabbage, with a liberal
quantity of potatoes. At the pig's execution, the blood was drained
into a container and used to make black pudding and each family had
its own variation of the basic recipe. To-day some West Cork butchers
have resurrected some of these family recipes and produce a gourmet
range of puddings - black, brown, white - which have won international
acclaim.
Fish:
In West Cork you will get the greatest variety of fresh fish available
anywhere: Jon Dory, plaice, sole, turbot, monkfish, sea-trout etc,
etc, - all fresh from the Atlantic.
If your preference is for shell-fish, then West Cork had these in
abundance also: mussels, scallops, prawns, lobster, etc, etc.
If it is smoked fish that you need, there are a number of smokeries in
West Cork, offering a huge selection of smoked fish; wild salmon,
farmed salmon, mackerel, trout, haddock, etc, etc. Some also provide
smoked chicken and smoked bacon.
Cheese:
Over the past thirty years or so, Ireland has experienced a boom in
farmhouse cheese-making. West Cork has been to the forefront in that
development. Today, there are quite a number of farmhouse
cheese-makers in the area, whose cheese have won many an international
award. Sample these various varieties during your visit to West Cork.
Honey:
West Cork produces some of the finest honey in the world. It is all
due to location, location, location. Our mild climate encourages an
unbelievable variety of blooms, from early spring to late autumn, each
making its distinctive contribution to the flavour of the honey.
Other Choice Comestibles:
I have written so far about some local specialties. Our good-food list
does not end there. West Cork beef, spring lamb, organic poultry,
free-range eggs and home-made bread are as tasty here as anywhere else
in Ireland. Come and enjoy a gourmet experience.
The Fuchsia Logo:
The Fuchsia, a shrub originally from South America, is a prominent
feature in nature's adornment of the West Cork landscape. This
beautiful little blossom, Deora De (God's Teardrop) in Gaelic, has
been chosen as the Logo of West Cork products. Those who are approved
to use the Logo on their products must have met strict and
clearly-defined criteria. This Logo is your guarantee of top quality
West Cork food products.
Farmers' Market:
Finally, if you are in West Cork on a self-catering holiday, check the
local farmers' market. Over recent years, these markets have been
developed in the various West Cork towns and offer a variety of fresh
produce, direct from the farms - no air miles involved, simply local
producers supplying local customers with the best they can offer.
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