After I mentioned the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society book last week, I got lots of comments and emails about it–it's a beloved book, and of course back in the news since the new movie came out (which I haven't seen, though it was at our local theater here in France. It's a long story, but we ended up at the wrong movie, and saw The Book Club instead–it was fabulous by the way!).
I just re-read the book, and your comments got me thinking about that curious little island of Guernsey. Where is it exactly? It's closer to France than to England–does it have a French connection? How has it turned out after the war and the German Occupation? And what is a potato peel pie?
A little research revealed: Guernsey is a self-governing British crown dependency, but not part of the UK. It has 62,000 people, and it's 25 miles around it. If you've read the book, you know some of the history, at least of the occupation. It was part of France at one point; in fact French used to be the official language, and some residents still speak an old version of Norman French. But when 80% of the children on the island were sent to the UK to avoid the Germans, many came back and the English language mostly took over. Tourism, international banking, and the raising of those famous Guernsey cows are the major industries these days.
It seems there is a lot to see: Neolithic sites, Castle Cornet, and ancient burial sites. There are water sports of course, with so many miles of coastline. We francophiles will want to visit Victor Hugo's castle, Hauteville House, where he wrote Les Misérables while in exile, it's now a museum managed by the French (though currently closed for renovations).
If you're in the north of France, you can hop over on the ferry from St. Malo, it's a two hour trip. From England, it's three hours, from the ferry in Poole.
Now about that potato peel pie. My friend Joan made one for her book club, when they discussed the book together. Fun! So, is it possible to make a potato peel pie that is also delicious? There are recipes on the internet for several versions, none of which sounded very good to me. But in case we fall on hard times, it's a good thing to have in your repetoire. I actually tried making my own version–pretty good, I have to say. I decided to go the salé route (savory), but Joan chose a pie that is sucré (sweet). Shall we have a potato peel pie cook-off? Time to put your creative cuisine hat on!
By the way, the beautiful scenery in that film? Not filmed in Guernsey, sadly. Though Guernsey looks pretty great, from the photos I found.
So next time I'm in Normandy….I'm on that ferry! You too? And has anyone out there been there? We'd love to hear more!
RECIPE: Lynn's Potato Peel Pie
My friend Joan made one, with whipped cream and a cherry on top! Here's my savory version.
This recipe is a sort of deconstruced twice-baked potato, with extra crispy skins on top of the pie. Now let me say that not only do the French not do baked potatos, but they would never dream of eating a potato skin, which for me is kind of the best part. So to my French readers, either stop reading HERE, or else prepare for a culinary adventure.
Bake 4 baking potatos, in a 425F (210C) oven (no microwave shortcuts for this recette). Grate a cup of cheddar cheese and set aside. Sauté some chopped yellow onions in butter.
When potatoes are done, remove but keep the oven hot. Cut them in half and scoop the insides into a bowl, reserving skins. Mash the potatoes with some butter and/or sour cream as desired, stir in half the cheese and the all the onions, and season with coarse salt and ground pepper. (If you're feeling lazy, as I was, instead of the onions just stir in some chives or chopped scallions). Spread the mashed potatoes into a pie plate.
Brush the skins all over with olive oil. Place them skin side up on a baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, just until crispy. At the same time, put the pie plate in the oven, on a rack under the baking sheet.
When skins are crisp, remove from oven, along with mashed potatoes, and cut skins into smallish pieces–I quartered mine. Pile them on top of the mashed potatoes, and sprinkle with remaining cheese (and bacon, if you're a meat eater). Put them back into the oven for about 3-5 minutes, just until cheese is nice and melty. Sprinkle with chopped chives and serve.
In the COMMENTS: Do read Libby's story about her encounter with a Guernsey war veteran's family, which could have been right out of the book.
Favorite READS: Barbara and Bonnie recommend Wine and War, which has a place of honor on our bookshelf. Bonnie also recommends Les Parisiennes: How the Women of Paris Lived, Loved, and Died under Nazi Occupation. Our superstar reader Natalia likes Hotel Sacher (of Sacher torte fame), a Viennese novel of romance and danger; and an inspirational memoir by Maria Shriver called I've Been Thinking. Cindy, thanks, I had never heard of the Jean-Luc Bannalec mysteries, set in Britany.
13 thoughts on “A British Isle with a Dramatic History, A French Connection, and a Pie”
I read the book a long time ago and we had a holiday in Guernsey even longer ago than that.
The Channel Isles are fascintaing places and full of interesting things to do.
Guernsey used to have as its major industry tomato growing and there are now many enormous greenhouses in various states of decay all over the island.
Tomato growing has now moved to Spain.
Jersey is also famous for its potatoes, Jersey Royals, which are grown on impossibly tall slopes and all harvested by hand.
I think that they are even better than those from the Isle of Noirmoutier, the French equivalent.
Both islands have a rare shellfish called ormers. They have to be cooked for a long time as they are quite tough and there is a verty short season when they can be harvested.
Jersey is home to the world famous Zoo, started by the naturalist Gerald Durrell, who used to live on another island, Corfu, and wrote books about his family and the animals he saw on Corfu and his adventiures around the world.
The Zoo is one of the main conservation centres in the world, especially gor gorillas and orang utans.
I love, love, loved that book and I know I’ll love your potato peel pie! I going to give it a try for this
first college football weekend of the season. Go Dogs!
I really enjoy your favorite reads section…I’ve read so many great books that never would’ve
come to my attention had it not been for the suggestions of you and your readers.
Thanks so much!
We were there after the book came out so lots of souvenirs centered around the book. There is also a museum that paints the picture of the wartime and gives visitors the chance to talk with knowledgeable docents. The Hauteville House is uphill from the harbor and has a great view from the top floor. The house is really ornate – fun to imagine Hugo there! It’s a lovely little island. We flew to it from Southampton UK and stayed in a B&B. Think we were there about 4 nights. Whenever you go, bon voyage!
I didn’t know there was a zoo! Last year I watched the new television drama “The Durrell’s in Corfu”. I had never heard of them before. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for the shout-out Lynn! We almost went to Guernsey two years ago but, alas, opted for Provence once again! This last June we went to Isle of Wight (see my blog for a post) and absolutely fell in love with North House Cowes, a newish inn there. Magical! But next summer we’re headed to Cornwall for the very first time. Oh my, all these places are such a beautiful part of the world!
Thank you for sharing this information about Guernsey! I find it astonishing that the Germans even traveled to this small island to invade. What a horrible time that was. I recently watched the movie and was absolutely delighted by it. I will be reading the book! I just finished “The Woman in the Window” which was fabulous and I can’t wait for the next A.J. Finn creation. I am currently reaching “Master Thieves”. I appreciate the book recommendations so very much along with the rest of your lovely blog. 🙂
I ADORE JEAN LUC BANNALEC and have read all, making me want to go NOW to Bretagne and eat lobster and scallops and oysters and see the enchanted forest and experience the wild and crazy Bretons with their love of lore and magic!!! All books are infectious, besides making one very, very hungry. Rillettes of scallops? Oh, boy…
LOVE the pie and will make one soon.
Off to get the Sacher book. Thank you.
I know you know Martin Walker’s new one and all of his Perigord books.
Lynn… Really looking forward to trying this recipe! Planning to surprise Carolyn with it!
We’ll miss y’all at the Cruising Club Luau next weekend. Hope you’re enjoying your summer. The weather forced us to leave Slow Dance in Chesapeake, VA and take a break in our Chesapeake Bay cruise, but hoping to return and continue in September.
I just saw the movie on tv so enjoyed your article. The Pie looks delicious.
Lynn,what a yummy and creative recipe!!(And I’m with you on those crispy skins!)
Oh YES!YUM all the way around!! Thank you!!
Many of my relatives were living on Jersey during the war.Back then a distant cousin even later wrote a book about their experiences(believe it was titled Getting By).(our copy was lost in moldy storage and never was able to locate another.)When we visited Jersey(years ago) we “visited” some of them in the cemetary.My aunt made rubbings of their headstones.Jersey was such a charming place,filled with lovely people,and we regretted not having time to visit Guernsey as well.We were told it was just as delightful.
These book suggestions are terrific! I loved Wine and War(!) and am looking forward to Les Parisiennes!
One I have just started and can’t put down, is The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis.Two women,many years apart,The Grand Central School of Art,and(bien sur),a masterpiece.
Your book recommendations are food for thought. I’m especially interested in the mysteries set in Brittany. Yummy.
Upon your recommendation,I watched the film last evening and loved it! I have since added Guernsey as a destination to my bucket list. Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention.
I am finally making the move from the US to France in January (2019). I have bought a house in Montréal (d’Aude) 20 minutes from Carcassonne and an hour southeast of Toulouse. I can’t wait to finally live out my dream of retirement in France!
Libby — what is the link to that story? Thank you!
Sue