Jiggs dinner

A traditional Jiggs dinner served with mustard pickles.

Jiggs dinner is a traditional meal commonly associated with the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. It is a boiled dinner that typically includes salt beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and turnips. The meal is often served with pease pudding and figgy duff, a type of boiled pudding.

History

Jiggs dinner is named after the character Jiggs from the comic strip "Bringing Up Father," which was popular in the early 20th century. The meal reflects the Irish and English influences on Newfoundland's culinary traditions, as many of the early settlers in Newfoundland were from these regions.

Ingredients

The main ingredient in Jiggs dinner is salt beef, which is beef that has been preserved in a brine solution. This ingredient is crucial as it imparts a distinctive flavor to the dish. Other essential ingredients include:

• Cabbage
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Turnips
• Pease pudding
• Figgy duff

Preparation

A close-up of the components of a Jiggs dinner.

To prepare Jiggs dinner, the salt beef is soaked overnight to remove excess salt. It is then boiled, and the vegetables are added in stages, starting with the ones that take the longest to cook, such as turnips and carrots, followed by potatoes and cabbage. Pease pudding is made by boiling split peas in a cloth bag alongside the other ingredients.

Figgy duff, a traditional boiled pudding, is often served as a dessert. It is made with flour, sugar, butter, and raisins, and is boiled in a cloth bag.

Serving

Jiggs dinner is typically served on Sundays and is considered a comfort food in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is often accompanied by mustard pickles or beet pickles. The meal is a staple of family gatherings and special occasions.

Cultural Significance

Jiggs dinner is more than just a meal; it is a symbol of Newfoundland and Labrador's cultural heritage. It represents the resourcefulness of the early settlers who made use of preserved meats and root vegetables to create a hearty and satisfying meal.

Related pages

• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Canadian cuisine
• Salt beef
• Pease pudding
• Figgy duff