By Crystalee Webb
Americans who dye their milk green and make matching green pancakes for breakfast can also use traditional Irish recipes to celebrate the emerald holiday.
BYU students bring a variety of food traditions to the table for March 17. With Irish ancestry in her mother''s line, Meghan Morgan from Herndon, Va., grew up in a family that made it a point to celebrate the day through food.
'Our milk is dyed green, and we have a green meal, too,' Morgan said. 'Also, the leprechaun comes and leaves a trail of confetti, and at the end we would find goodies.'
Nishelle Morgan (no relation), from Beaverton, Ore., also grew up celebrating with green food. Her sister''s birthday is March 17, so her family has always 'played the day up big,' she said.
'We have green eggs and ham for breakfast, and all wear green clothes,' Nishelle Morgan said.
This year, she is continuing the tradition by hosting a St. Patty''s Day party, complete with green food, Irish music, Irish jig dancing and an Irish movie.
It doesn''t take much to transform a regular meal into a festive green feast. Typical green fruits and vegetables like granny apples, grapes, honeydew melon, green beans, peppers, broccoli, cabbage, peas or spinach can be found in local grocery stores. Or, try more exotic greens like kiwis, limes, star fruit, edamame or avocadoes.
Green food dye also adds a magical touch to a St. Patty''s day meal. A few drops in mashed potatoes, rice or oatmeal create an emerald hue worthy of the day. Lime flavored candies and juices are also an appropriate treat. Don''t forget Utah''s state food - green Jell-O.
Some students haven''t experienced a green meal on St. Patrick''s Day. Adam Ottley from Kennewick, Wash., majoring in physiology and developmental biology, said he has never remembered to celebrate the day, even as a kid.
' I wouldn''t remember until I got to school and saw people wearing green,' Ottley said with a laugh. 'I got pinched all the time; it kind of scarred me. I still don''t remember to wear green.'
Getting pinched and eating green food are actually American traditions, along with the perceived notion of corned beef and cabbage being genuinely Irish.
'We hope that you''re not too disappointed to learn that corned beef and cabbage is about as truly Irish as spaghetti and meatballs,' according to the Web site irishcultureandtraditions.com. 'The truth is, that for many Irish people, corned beef is too ''poor'' or plain to eat on a holiday; they''d sooner make something more festive.'
For those looking for more traditional Irish cuisine, there are many sources to find genuine recipes. One book, 'British and Irish Cooking' by Tony Schmaeling, includes Irish soda bread, Irish beef stew, scallop mushroom potato pie, champ, honey mousse and Irish boiled cake.