Northern Minnesota Pasties
As I sit on my couch, looking at this wonderful family recipe, the smell of a sweet dough and fresh vegetables comes to mind. Brings me back to the house my grandparents use to own. That kitchen where the oven always had amazing fragrances seeping through the seams and dispersing throughout their home.
Growing up, I started to see pasties around the town, a lot. They are sold still today at the local grocery stores in Ely, Minnesota. People sell them for fundraisers. People have heard of spaghetti dinners for school events... We have pasty dinners. It is funny how one type of food, is used to celebrate a team or event; support a growing family; fill a need; bring back memories; show love and passion. It is truly, truly amazing.
Below, is the recipe that brings me back to my childhood.
Cook Time
Ingredients
- 6 Cups flour
- 3 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 Cup Shortening or Lard
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups ice water
- 3-6 cups potatoes, thinly sliced or cubed
- 2-3 cups carrots, thinly sliced or cubed
- 2-3 cups rutabaga, thinly sliced or cubed
- A little onions, (added for some flavor)
- approximately 2 tsp salt and pepper
- 1 to 1 1/2 lbs chow mein meat
- 8 Tbsp butter or margarine
- Begin by mixing the flour, 3 teaspoons salt & baking powder in a large bowl. Adding the shortening or lard (which ever you prefer) & cut in with a pastry blender. Continue by adding ice water (a little at a time) until the dough can be easily handled. Divide dough into 8 pieces, wrap in wax paper & refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- For each pasty: Roll out your dough into a 9 inch circle. Layer the thinly sliced potatoes, carrots, rutabaga & onion, with the meat on last; sprinkle with salt & pepper on each layer. Then put 1 tablespoon of margarine on top of the meat. Fold in half & seal the edges. For best results, place the pasties on greased cookie sheets.
- For 15 minutes at 425 degrees bake the pasties. Then, turn your oven to 350 degrees & bake for 35-45 minutes or until they are nicely browned.
- You can serve the pasties, hot or cold. An added bonus is that they freeze and reheat very well. Bonus: If you have extra veggies and/or meat, you can place them in foil and bake.