Jo - The book club is currently discussing The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It is a story, told in a series of letters and telegrams, about the German occupation of the Island of Guernsey during WWII. The residents of the island had very little to eat, both due to its isolation and because some of the German soldiers appropriated much of the locals' food for their use. The residents of the island had to become very resourceful and one of the dishes they invented during the occupation was potato peel pie.
My offer to Jan was tongue-in-cheek; I have never actually made a potato peel pie. But since I ought not to have put a private joke into another thread without explanation, I searched for a potato peel pie recipe for you and found this one:
Beat 2 egg whites until soft peaks form, fold in 2 cups grated and well drained potato peel(about 3 large potatoes). Add 1 teaspoon of dill weed. Press into greased pie plate leaving a deep impression in the middle. Bake at 400 for 25 minutes. Meanwhile boil the potatoes and one or two carrots or beets until soft in a small amount (1 cup or less) of salted water(sea water?). Mash well without draining adding 3 tablespoons sour cream and more dill and garlic if you have it. Mound in cooked pie shell, bake an additional 10 minutes. Top with a small handful of grated cheese. Can be served hot or cold.
Doesn't sound too yummy, and I imagine the islanders' version would have been simpler yet. I imagine the dairy products would have been scarce.
Sara
