The Black Bull of Norroway or the Collop Catastrophe

The Black Bull of Norroway or the Collop Catastrophe

Author: Rachel Mosses April 27, 2021 Duration: 30:35

In which we discover that life can be interesting if you accept the unusual, that a collop can be many things and that sometimes acquiring a prince can be a lot of effort. This tale also involves an amazing shoe collection, ice lakes, glass mountains, a prince who sleeps soundly, a bull with unlimited food and drink in his ears, magical fruit and incredible jewelry.

This tale for this episode is The Black Bull of Norroway,  a wonderful and joyful folk tale with a moral that slaps you round the  face rather than whispering in your ear but it seems like an appropriate  one in these tricky times.

The episode recipe is Bacon, Cheese & Mushroom Sandwich, excellent recovery food for the morning after the night before.

If you want to find out anything about the books or links I mentioned in the podcast you can find them in Further Reading. This is also where you would find more information about the history of collops and other sources of information in this week's podcast.

You can also find out more at Hestia's Kitchen which has all past episodes and the connected recipes on the blog.  If  you'd like to get in touch about the podcast you can find me on Twitter or Instagram at @FairyTalesFood.


Rachel Mosses hosts Folklore, Food and Fairytales, a podcast that sits at the comfortable, worn-in table where narrative and nourishment meet. Each episode begins with a story-a piece of folklore, a fairytale, or a lesser-known myth-and then delves into the culinary world hidden within its lines. The discussion isn't just about whether the porridge in a tale is symbolic or simply a relatable detail; it's about unearthing the real food history and traditions that those fictional meals echo. You'll hear about the rituals of both eating and storytelling, and how each feeds a different kind of hunger. This podcast naturally explores how recipes are themselves stories passed down, and how the history of a dish can be as compelling as the plot of a legend. Listen for a thoughtful blend of narration and analysis, where a great story is always served with a side of fascinating context, leaving you to ponder the deep, savoury connections between the tales we tell and the food we share.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 92

Folklore, Food and Fairytales
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