So last Friday, in truly miserable weather we loaded up with kids and dogs and set off for a camper van pasty picnic on the Lizard, with a firm agenda of finally sampling the much applauded and acclaimed Ann's Pastys.
If you google Ann you will find she is quite an institution, queues in the summer are apparently immense (booking is advised) and on more than one 'best of the west' type thing she comes up top of the tree.
The thing is though as you drive into Lizard itself wondering if you'll find the venerable Queen of the Pasty immediately you smile because as clear as day, and as big as you can imagine, there is a huge sign in the middle of the village pointing you the right way. And sure enough you find a yellow house with a pasty shop built out back, literally. Garden pond, fountain and all.
You are also under no illusion that the Pastys are nothing less than home-made because there behind the counter, right in front of you, are the ladies themselves making Pastys to replace those already baked and rapidly flying out of the door... and this was in late feb on a cold very wet friday.
Ann herself is a star. We had a good old chat about the regional status awarded to the Cornish Pasty, and an even longer rant about the increasingly ridiculous acts of dear Cornwall County Council and their mission to seemingly fleece the residents any which way they can (don't get me started on car parking fees, or the 'town center shopping tax' as i prefer to call it). To be honest it was worth the drive over for that alone.
Yes, it was good, very good in fact. I would say, and the wife agreed, that the pastry was the best we have sampled on any Pasty. The ingredients correct (potato, onion, turnip, skirt, suet and seasoning), nicely moist and well proportioned.
Better than Philps... pastry-wise yes. Filling-wise on a par, equally as good, yes probably. But i'm torn because as tasty as was maybe a little under seasoned (for my palate). Maybe?
My super fussy children ("if the Pasty is not made by Nana we're not eating it") thoroughly enjoyed theirs as well. Lad with standard and daughter with cheese and vegetable (I had a bite, research purposes purely, really really nice).
At the end of the day I'm really enjoying exploring the Lizard, and a trip out to Ann's is definitely something we will do in the future especially as you can nip in for your Pasty and then be out at the National Trust car-park (free for members) by the lighthouse in minutes all parked up with kettle whistling.
Next up though, its the Horse and Jockey Bakery in Helston and Hansons in Hayle. With my much lapsed weight loss programme beginning again tomorrow, promise!
Now you're making me hungry! My Mum used to love Ivor Dewdney pasties.
ReplyDeleteShe got a taste for them whilst my dad was in the Navy. She moved to Somerset years later, and any time that I was heading down to the coast painting or surfing, she would say " Pick me up an Ivor Dewdney , love!".
Good memories, and damn fine pasties!