Bubble and squeak | Traditional, British, Vegetarian (2024)

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bubble and squeak, a common British dish consisting of vegetables, especially potatoes and cabbage. The ingredients are panfried and served as a side dish. Bubble and squeak, which dates from the 18th century, originally also included meat, and it was typically made with leftovers from the Sunday roast and eaten the next day. The contemporary dish, however, is usually meatless, and though a wide assortment of vegetables may be used, the key ingredient is potatoes, which hold the other various components together. The dish’s name supposedly derives from the noises made when the ingredients are fried. Similar dishes, also based on fried vegetables, include colcannon (Ireland) and rumbledethumps (Scotland).

Laura Siciliano-Rosen

Bubble and squeak | Traditional, British, Vegetarian (2024)

FAQs

What is bubble and squeak in England? ›

Bubble and squeak is a British dish made from cooked potatoes and cabbage, mixed together and fried. The food writer Howard Hillman classes it as one of the "great peasant dishes of the world".

Does bubble and squeak have meat? ›

Bubble and Squeak dates back to the 18th century in England and is probably the most famous dish for being made out of leftovers. It started out with cooked beef in its ingredients, but during Second World War rationing it became more common to just have the mashed vegetables.

What is the English term bubble and squeak? ›

The origins of the name bubble and squeak are not known, but there is a reference in the "Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue" from 1785: "Bubble and squeak is beef and cabbage fried together. It is so-called from its bubbling up and squeaking while over the fire."

What is the difference between colcannon and bubble and squeak? ›

This bubble and squeak recipe is very similar to Irish colcannon (pic below) which is a mix of mashed potato and cabbage, bubble and squeak is cooked again after mixing, where colcannon is served more like mashed potato.

Is bubble and squeak a co*ckney dish? ›

In the co*ckney cafés they call this 'bubble', and serve it alongside eggs for breakfast. Because it often sits in the pan for ages getting dark and crispy, it tends to take on a fairly dark grey and rather ugly colour, but ironically, those are often the tastiest bubble and squeaks of all. ”

What is squeak in the UK? ›

bubble and squeak, a common British dish consisting of vegetables, especially potatoes and cabbage. The ingredients are panfried and served as a side dish.

What is the bubble and squeak in co*ckney rhyming? ›

1 n dish made from boiled vegetables (often cabbage), potatoes, onions and sometimes some leftover meat. 2 n Greek person, usually shortened to “bubble.” From co*ckney rhyming slang “bubble and squeak” / “Greek”: Did you hear Harry's brother's gone and started dating a bubble?

Is bubble and squeak part of an English breakfast? ›

This is a traditional post-Christmas breakfast dish - but don't wait until then to make this. Excellent if served as part of an English breakfast with bacon and eggs, or as a light supper dish."

Why is Bubble & Squeak so called? ›

The name "bubble and squeak" likely comes from the noises the ingredients make when they are fried together in a pan. Since cabbage contains a lot of water, it tends to make "bubbly" noises as it wilts and cooks.

What is a bubble in British slang? ›

You're having a bubble.” This is one of the most common phrases, and it's spoken across the UK. It's used to express disbelief or a flat out refusal to do something.

What is squeak in English slang? ›

squeak verb (SUCCEED)

to only just succeed in something such as a test or competition: He squeaked through the exam. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Succeeding, achieving and fulfilling. A game.

What is the story of bubble and squeak? ›

A boy gets two gerbils from a friend and so starts the battle between him and his sisters (with the silent support of his step-father) on one side and his mother on the other. Cute, short, and sweet. An engaging story of a family and their two new gerbils, Bubble and Squeak.

What do they call mashed potatoes in England? ›

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Mashed potato or mashed potatoes (American, Canadian and Australian English), colloquially known as mash (British English), is a dish made by mashing boiled or steamed potatoes, usually with added milk, butter, salt and pepper.

What do they call potato cakes in England? ›

It seems the Irish call them Potato bread, the English call them potato cakes (Lancashire), Scottish call them potato scones (tottie scones).

What is bubble and squeak scouse? ›

Traditionally it is a mash up of veg from a Sunday roast, particularly the potato that binds it all together, and usually includes either cabbage or brussels sprouts. This is then formed into patties that are fried in butter. The term bubble and squeak refers to the noise it makes while frying.

What is bubble and squeak London slang? ›

Home Page 🌐 bubble and squeak: a leak, to urinate. B. Dark Dirty co*ckney Rhy.

Why do they call bubble and squeak? ›

The name "bubble and squeak" likely comes from the noises the ingredients make when they are fried together in a pan. Since cabbage contains a lot of water, it tends to make "bubbly" noises as it wilts and cooks.

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