Rag pudding and pasty barms

Rag pudding is a throwback to North West England’s industrial heritage. Working long hours through cold winters created a need for meals that would provide energy. As a result, rag pudding was invented in neighbouring Oldham. It comprises minced meat and onions encased in a suet pastry.

The pasty barm, a meat-and-potato pie eaten inside a bread roll, is another popular stomach filler. The term barm refers to the leavening agent, which is the foam that’s a by-product of beer production. Although working and living conditions have improved immensely, you’ll still find plenty of people throughout Greater Manchester with a passion for these heritage foods.