A freshly baked Cornish pasty straight from the oven is an utter delight. Especially if you find a nice spot in the sunshine, away from the seagulls on the beach.
What Makes A Pasty Cornish?
Cornish pasty recipes round here are handed down from generation to generation. They differ in lots of ways - seasoning and vegetables are the main points on contension.
To be classed as a proper Cornish pasty though your pasty has to contain the following
- diced or minced beef
- chopped potato, it can be sliced or diced
- swede (also known as turnip)
- onion (must be white)
- seasoning (usually just salt and pepper)
- shortcrust or puff pastry
- glazed with egg or milk to give it colour.
All the ingredients must be assembled uncooked - no frying off of the meat and onion.
The pasty must be crimped down one side and the shape should form a capital letter D. If you crimp it on top, it is the Devon way.
A Bit Of Cornish Pasty History
Cornish pasties were made for the tin miners to take down the mines with them. The pastry had to be tough enough to withstand bashing about and the thick pastry kept the meat warm. The crimped side was believed to be used as the handle - not to be eaten. It is believed that some miners took a half and half pasty - half meat and half jam or fruit.
A Bit Of Cornish Pasty Future
There has been a bit of a furore about people calling their pasties Cornish when they are not made from the right ingredients. The biggest hoo ha recently has been about vegan pasties. It is brilliant that there are pasties for all - but if they are not made with beef in the proper way they are just pasties! You can buy some cracking flavoured pasties down here - I love the lamb and mint and some of the veggie ones. But they can't be called Cornish pasties.
Best Places In St Ives To Buy A Cornish Pasty
Everyone has there favourites but here are my top places to buy Cornish Pasties in St Ives.
St Ives Bakery
LOCATION MAP: 52 Fore St, Saint Ives TR26 1HE
St Ives Bakery is where we usually buy our Cornish pasties from. The shop in is on the corner of Fore Street and The Digey, opposite Gullz R Loud (stockists of our game, The Great St Ives Pasty Dash!). Their pasties are always freshly baked, succulent and packed with flavour. We also like to buy bread, meringues and rocky road whilst we are there!
The Makers
If you haven't discovered The Makers on Chapel Street you are seriously missing out. Not only do they make the most wonderful cakes, their pasties and sausage rolls are perfect. We always get them on the way to Porthminster Beach.
Yellow Canary
LOCATION MAP: 12 Fore St, Saint Ives TR26 1AB
Yellow Canary is also on Fore Street, near The Castle Inn. They do delicious Cornish pasties in all sorts of flavours to eat in or takeaway. They also do a very excellent cream tea!
The Cornish Bakery
LOCATION MAP: 9 Fore St, Saint Ives TR26 1AB
The Cornish Bakery is another bakery on Fore Street. They sell lovely Cornish pasties, French pastries, speciality breads and good coffee.
Cornish Bakehouse
LOCATION MAP: 51 Fore St, Saint Ives TR26 1HE
The Cornish Bakehouse has 3 outlets in St Ives - one on Fore Street and two on the habour. They do a good range of Cornish Pasties, sausage rolls and baked goods like doughnuts and yum yums. They also do nice lunchtime baguettes and jacket potatoes
The Slipway
LOCATION MAP: Wharf Rd, Saint Ives TR26 1LP
The Slipway is a lovely bakery which sits right on the harbour in St Ives. They do a delicious range of cakes, baked goods and of course, Cornish Pasties.
Sky's Diner
LOCATION MAP: 43 Fore St, Saint Ives TR26 1HE
Sky's Diner is a lovely sit in cafe or takeaway. They do really big fat looking Cornish pasties which always make my mouth water!
Pengenna Pasties
LOCATION MAP: 9 High St, Saint Ives TR26 1RR
Pengenna Pasties is on the High Street in St Ives. They are a bit tucked away and so are often overlooked. I've been told they don't technically sell "Cornish" pasties as the crimping is on the top. But they certainly taste like Cornish pasties and are proper big and good too!
Okay, these ones aren't in St Ives but I have to also recommend...
Philps
LOCATION MAP: 1 E Quay, Hayle TR27 4BJ
Philps was the first really great Cornish pasty I ever ate. We used to come down to Hayle and St Ives on holiday before we moved here. Eating a Philps pasty on Gwithian Beach is one of life's greatest pleasures! Philps have several other outlets in Hayle and Marazion.
Hampsons
LOCATION MAP: 20 Chapel Terrace, Hayle TR27 4AB
My Dad lives in Hayle and thinks Hampsons are the best for Cornish Pasties. He says they taste far more meaty than any of the others. He likes that they don't have too much pepper in them. They are also a local butcher.
Let me know if you think any other places should be added to this list. I will go as far afield as Hayle and Penzance!
