Remembering the Pasty

One of my memories of growing up was sometimes going in to Ironwood, usually with Mom, and shopping for clothes, or to the Piggly Wiggly for groceries, and later having lunch.  

We couldn't afford the luxury of eating out very often, so when we did, it was usually at a restaurant that fit Mom's budget. Happily, Joe's Pasty Shop was a place that offered a filling meal at a bargain price. I loved it there. 

The day I'm remembering was a winter day, but it must have been toward spring, because the sun was making the snow sloppy. We had had a fairly heavy snowfall the night before, and the streets were still half blocked by snow that had been plowed into the center of most streets but had not yet been hauled away. The sidewalks too had snow plowed over at least half of their width and the pedestrians shuffling along had to stay very close to the buildings if they wanted to keep their feet dry. This meant that we kids had to follow Mom single file as she crossed South Lowell Street and carefully made her way up the block to Joe's. I had glasses at the time because I remember them instantly steaming up as I stepped into the warmth and aromas that greeted us as we crossed Joe's threshold, and like the good Yooper kids we were, immediately stamped our feet to knock off any snow on our boots. Mom herded us into one of the booths that were along one wall. 

One of the great things about Joe's was that you never had to wonder what to eat. It was a PASTY shop afterall. What else would anyone expect to eat there? Mom decided how many pasties to order and how to divy them up among us. I remember whining going round the tables as we all assured her that we could eat a whole pasty. I remember getting my own pasty since I was the oldest. And a glass of chocolate milk. Life didn't get much better than that. 

Now, here I am 50 + years later in a country where I have yet to find anything resembling a proper (U. P. style) pasty. You'd think they'd be all over the place. On the rare occasion that I found what is called a pasty, and purchased one, it turned out to be quite different than what I had hoped it would be.

I've got to give the Kiwis credit though. They sure like a good meat pie and they have quite a few varieties to choose from. Below are a few that I've run across.

Chunks of chicken, spinich I think and onions. I didn't notice any mushrooms.

Not surprisingly, this one is beef, spinach I think and onions.

Here they are, nicely baked

And sliced open. It's a puff pastry crust that is quite flakey.

Close up of the beef wellington

This is a meat pie (and cookie) shop in our local mall.  Lots of varieties.

Jeanne had a chicken and I chose a steak and kidney. 

This is a cold pork pie and it was pruchased at the Green Dragon Inn in Hobbiton. Quite good although the dark colored gel between the meat and the crust was Very salty.

This is NZ's version of a Cornish Pasty. I found it in a bakery in Glen Eden. Not many places make any sort of pasty.

There is ground beef, onion, peas, carrots, corn and a little potato. It's not bad, but not pasty-like at all. The dough is a puff-pastry like stuff. 

Now, before you feel too bad for me, we do have a solution to my pasty deprivation. Every now and then we make our own. The boys love them. They eat them in the following manner. The pasties are allowed to cool to just above room temperature; we then cut them in half the long way, and the boys pick up and dip each half into ketchup on their plates. Their pasties are smaller ones than the adult's, sized to fit their grip of course.

Just today I suggested to Jeanne that we make another batch soon. When we do, I'm going to make our meal a 'blast from the past' and buy a couple liters of chocolate milk, just so that the boys can enjoy the full pasty experience.  Think I'll wear my Joe's Pasty hoodie too, just for old times sake.                                       -djf

We were having a 'pasty party' when this shot was taken. Note the adult vs kid's size pasties. Also the bowl of mostly eaten sausage pieces I cooked up for an appetizer, and somebodies, (probably Jeanne's) drink on thecountrer. Attending were all the Miles plus Dan's mom Angela and her husband Bruce.