Many dishes we enjoy today have roots in necessity. California’s Steamer beer was created to quench miners’ thirst with an affordable brew. The Caesar Salad was invented in Tijuana when the chef ran out of ingredients. Another dish born out of need is the Grass Valley Pasty.
The Birth of Grass Valley Pasties
As the copper and tin mines in Cornwall, England began to close, California’s Gold Rush was just getting started. Many Cornish miners, skilled in hard rock mining, fled the economic depression in Britain and headed to Gold Rush towns, bringing their beloved Cornish Pasties with them.
While other mining towns experienced boom-and-bust cycles, the mines of Grass Valley and Nevada City continued to produce for decades, allowing Cornish miners to put down roots. By 1890, 85% of Grass Valley’s population was of Cornish descent!
Though the mines have closed, one thing remains: the iconic Grass Valley Pasty. In fact, there’s even an annual festival to honor St. Piran, the Cornish patron saint, complete with a Pasty toss!
What is a Pasty?
In its simplest form, a pasty is a savory pastry filled with meat and vegetables, all enclosed in a folded and crimped shortcrust pastry. Its unique shape made it the perfect food for miners, as it could stay warm for hours. And, if it cooled, could easily be reheated over a candle. Since miners’ hands were often covered in arsenic, the crimped edge served as a convenient handle, which could be discarded after eating.
Marshall’s Pasties
When the last major mines in the area closed in the 1960s, Marshall’s opened in 1968 to satisfy the locals’ craving for pasties. For over 50 years, this unassuming store has been serving thousands of Cornish pies to its customers. They offer a variety of options, including beef, chicken, turkey, ham and cheese, and even vegetable pasties.
Grass Valley Pasty Co
Open since 2019, the current owners were long-time fans of a pasty shop called “Cousin Jack’s,” which operated for decades. They’ve taken inspiration from the original Cornish pasties of the U.K. but with a twist, offering flavors like chicken portabella mushroom, pulled pork, pot roast, and vegetarian pasties. While Cousin Jack’s is no longer around, the most traditional pasty on Grass Valley Pasty Co’s menu is the “Cousin Jack,” filled with skirt steak, potatoes, onion, and parsley, honoring its legacy.
Grass Valley Methodist Church
To honor the community’s Cornish heritage, more than 35 volunteers come together each month to bake over 1,000 pasties on the last Thursday. These delicious pasties are available from noon to 1 p.m., sold in batches of 4 to 6.
Corvus Bakery – Gluten Free Pasties!
Traditional pasties are made with flour, making them off-limits for those who are gluten intolerant. Luckily, Corvus Bakery offers gluten-free versions of this Cornish classic.
But don’t stop at pasties! Nevada County is home to a variety of unique food experiences, including award-winning chocolates, scenic wine trail, and more!
