Canadian
Hodge Podge
A Nova Scotia summer stew of new potatoes, young carrots, beans, and peas gently finished with cream and butter. It is simple, milky, and comforting, with the vegetables left tender but still tasting fresh from the garden.
Watch it madeAlex - We use what we have · 1:11
Ingredients
- Small new potatoes, scrubbed and halved300g
- Young carrots, sliced thickly2 medium
- Yellow wax beans, trimmed and cut in half1 cup
- Green beans, trimmed and cut in half1 cup
- Fresh or frozen peas1/2 cup
- Water2 cups
- Salt3/4 tsp
- Heavy cream3/4 cup
- Unsalted butter2 tbsp
- Black pepper1/4 tsp
- Chopped fresh parsley or summer savory1 tbsp
Method
- Put the potatoes and carrots in a medium pot with the water and salt, bring to a gentle boil, and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add the wax beans and green beans, reduce the heat to a steady simmer, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the beans are just soft.
- Add the peas and cook for 2 minutes more.
- Pour off enough cooking water to leave about 1/2 cup in the pot with the vegetables.
- Add the cream, butter, and black pepper, then warm gently for 3 to 4 minutes without boiling, stirring carefully so the vegetables stay mostly whole.
- Taste and adjust the salt, then sprinkle with parsley or summer savory and serve hot in shallow bowls with some of the creamy broth.
Common questions
Can I substitute other vegetables in Hodge Podge if I don’t have wax beans or fresh peas?
Yes. Use any tender spring vegetables that cook in a similar time, like asparagus, baby zucchini, snap peas, or fava beans. Add faster-cooking vegetables near the end so the potatoes and carrots don’t overcook.
How do I know when the vegetables are done without turning them mushy?
The potatoes should be easily pierced with a fork, and the beans should be just tender but still bright green. Start checking at the earliest cook time, because the final few minutes make a big difference.
What are the most common mistakes when making Hodge Podge?
The biggest mistakes are boiling too hard, which breaks the vegetables, and cooking everything too long before adding peas and cream. Another common error is reducing the broth too much, which makes the dish dry instead of creamy.
How should I store leftovers, and does Hodge Podge reheat well?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over low heat with a splash of water or cream, stirring carefully. Avoid boiling, or the vegetables may fall apart.
What should I serve with Hodge Podge, and can I make it ahead?
Serve it hot in shallow bowls with the creamy broth, alongside crusty bread, biscuits, or simple grilled fish or ham. You can prep and cut the vegetables ahead, but cook it shortly before serving for the best texture.