Definition

Noun: 1. A type of baked pastry: A Cornish pasty is a traditional British baked pastry, specifically associated with Cornwall. It consists of a semicircular pocket of shortcrust pastry with a crimped edge. 2. A filled savory dish: Its defining characteristic is a filling of uncooked beef, diced potato, swede (rutabaga), and onion, seasoned with salt and pepper, which is then baked. It was historically a portable meal for miners and workers.

Usage

• The Cornish pasty is a protected food name under UK and EU law, meaning only pasties made in Cornwall to a specific recipe can use the full name.
• It is typically eaten as a handheld meal, often served hot or cold.
• Example: "For lunch, I bought an authentic Cornish pasty from the bakery."

Advanced Usage

• "To have a pasty": A common colloquial shortening in the UK, especially in the South West, meaning to eat a Cornish pasty.
  • Example: "Let's stop at the shop and have a pasty."
• As a cultural symbol: The pasty is a significant symbol of Cornish heritage and identity.

Variants and Related Words

• Pasty (noun): A more general term for a similar baked pastry turnover with various fillings (e.g., cheese and onion pasty, chicken pasty). Note: A "pasty" is not necessarily a "Cornish pasty."
• Shortcrust pastry (noun): The type of pastry typically used for a Cornish pasty.

Synonyms

• Savory turnover
• Meat pie (in a broad, descriptive sense, though a pasty is distinct from a pie)

Related Phrases/Idioms

• "Pasty-faced": This is an unrelated idiom meaning looking pale and unhealthy. It derives from "pasty" as an adjective meaning pale, not from the food item.
  • Example: "He looked pasty-faced after being ill."

Noun

1. meat pie with filling of meat and vegetables