You can take the girl out of the Black Country but can never take the Black Country out of the girl. Especially when it comes to food.
And although my children were born and raised southerners some of them seem to have inherited a love of Midlands fare - a couple of my brood love mushy peas which make my husband gag, and my eldest like me is addicted to one particular local delicacy, Klondikes (or scallops depending where in the Black Country you are!)
None of them like faggots (a type of meatball) though which is a shame so I have to eat them alone as a guilty lunchtime treat every now and again. With mushy peas and gravy and white bread with loads of butter. Yum.
On a recent trip to Sedgley to see my Gran with my eldest son we both agreed that while we were there we had to fit in a fix of our favourite snack Klondikes which are fundamentally battered, deep fried slices of potato.
Most but not all chip shops in the Black Country sell them and on the way back to the motorway we stopped at a chip shop we had never been too before, walked in nervously hoping it wasn't going to let us down but Hurrah! a small pile of hot scallops was nestled in the corner of the display thingy just waiting for us to arrive. We did get some funny looks when we expressed our delight maybe a little too enthusiastically!
Scallops are best eaten after they have sat in the warming display cupboard of the chip shop then doused in salt and vinegar and washed down with a can of something fizzy. Or a cup of sweet tea with sterilised milk in. Some people put them in bread rolls but I'm a scallop purist. I was even disappointed they served mine in a polystyrene tray - they are obviously better in paper!
As DS#1 and I devoured the hot greasy treat we wondered why they were called scallops in some areas. Klondikes is easy to figure out - nuggets of gold. But scallops? If anyone knows why they are sometimes called that I'd love to hear from you.
And although my children were born and raised southerners some of them seem to have inherited a love of Midlands fare - a couple of my brood love mushy peas which make my husband gag, and my eldest like me is addicted to one particular local delicacy, Klondikes (or scallops depending where in the Black Country you are!)
None of them like faggots (a type of meatball) though which is a shame so I have to eat them alone as a guilty lunchtime treat every now and again. With mushy peas and gravy and white bread with loads of butter. Yum.
On a recent trip to Sedgley to see my Gran with my eldest son we both agreed that while we were there we had to fit in a fix of our favourite snack Klondikes which are fundamentally battered, deep fried slices of potato.
Most but not all chip shops in the Black Country sell them and on the way back to the motorway we stopped at a chip shop we had never been too before, walked in nervously hoping it wasn't going to let us down but Hurrah! a small pile of hot scallops was nestled in the corner of the display thingy just waiting for us to arrive. We did get some funny looks when we expressed our delight maybe a little too enthusiastically!
Scallops are best eaten after they have sat in the warming display cupboard of the chip shop then doused in salt and vinegar and washed down with a can of something fizzy. Or a cup of sweet tea with sterilised milk in. Some people put them in bread rolls but I'm a scallop purist. I was even disappointed they served mine in a polystyrene tray - they are obviously better in paper!
As DS#1 and I devoured the hot greasy treat we wondered why they were called scallops in some areas. Klondikes is easy to figure out - nuggets of gold. But scallops? If anyone knows why they are sometimes called that I'd love to hear from you.
I came from a country with a different gastronomic menu than my husband. Sadly I cant cook any of my local delicacy cuz of the lack of ingredients. Hopefully one day I can make my toddler taste something local for me and exotic for his dad =P
ReplyDeleteI hope I make some sense =)
#whatsthestory
Yes that makes sense - it's nice if children get to experience lots of different cultures
DeleteLove this! Come from Wednesbury and most definitely love a scallop ( which should really be spelt scollups don't you think...). Have to giggle as my posh husband went into a Wednesbury chippie and asked for a potato fritter!
ReplyDeleteHave to say though - I really hate faggots and mushy peas.
Popped across from #MagicMoments
That's hilarious! I tried to teach my local chippy how to make them but they would only make them to order and somehow they don't taste right if they've not sat for a bit in the hot cupboard.And since no-one but me ever ordered them they gave up!And scollups is the right pronunciation I reckon! Lol!
DeleteI don't like scallops much. I'm more a fish chips and mushy pea kind of girl ;)
ReplyDeleteWell that's quite acceptable - you'd pass as black country!
DeleteWhat a lovely post Afra and I hope you're feeling better. I'm just trying to remember whether I have ever eaten scallops. I'm sure I have but I can't remember what they taste like! Klondikes sound rather good #whatsthestory
ReplyDeleteThankyou I am finally feeling better. Scallops and Klondikes are the same thing in this context - just different names depending on where in the black country you are - still just fried potato!
DeleteLove this post, it's really lovely that you and your son share this treat :) #WhatstheStory
ReplyDeleteThankyou - trouble is every time I see the picture I want another one to eat and even I'm not prepared to drive 100 miles for 'em!
DeleteA perfect treat to share together. #MagicMoments & #What's the story
ReplyDeleteHave you ever had them? I wonder if you can get them anywhere out of the Midlands?
DeleteI've never actually eaten a scallop! You make them sound quite tempting though... #magicmoments
ReplyDeleteIf you ever get the chance go for it! Cheaper and I think tastier than real (fishy) scallops.
DeleteOh my gosh I never knew that these existed and I LOVE scallops!! I love mushy peas too! :) Thank you for linking to Magic Moments x
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever even heard of them! Sound interesting though, wouldn't mind giving them a try one day! #MagicMoments
ReplyDeleteOooohhh these look lush. My Nan used to run a Fish & Chip shop in Royston and she did a cheaper meal of fish with potato scallops wrapped around the fish and then battered. Can still taste them now. Loved this post x #magicmoments #whatsthestory
ReplyDeleteLucas says - Yum Yum, in my Tum. WOW - these look awesome and I am now starving!!!!! #magicmoments #whatsthestory
ReplyDeleteOoooh mushy peas and chips, my stomach's rumbling now - never tried Klondikes (maybe I'm just too Southern) but think I'd like them! xx
ReplyDelete