Lancashire hotpot

Threading Together

Being a Lancashire lass, I decided my plate should reflect my heritage. It’s poignant that it’s stitched onto a cotton plate, as Lancashire was part of the cotton industry because of the damp climate. I remember the large cotton mills, spinning the yarn and weaving the fabric, dominating the landscape. Most of the mills have now been demolished with just a few remaining. Lancashire hotpot originated from the need of the mill workers to be able to prepare a relatively simple meal and with the stew slowly cooking whilst they worked. Accompaniments varied and depended on where you lived.  The origin of the word ‘hotpot’ is unclear, ranging from the hot pot in which the stew was cooked, to the ‘hotch potch’ of ingredients.

(Bev Williams)