Stargazy pie Hunt explains that the Devil crossed the River Tamar to Torpoint. The chapter, entitled "The Devil's Coits, etc", reasons that the Devil discovered the Cornish would put anything in a pie and decided to leave before they took a fancy to a "devilly" pie, returning to Devon. The original pie in the legend included sand eels, horse mackerel, pilchards, herring, dogfish and ling along with a seventh fish. In a traditional pie, the primary ingredient is the pilchard (sardine), although mackerel or herring is used as a substitute. Richard Stevenson, chef at The Ship Inn in Mousehole, suggests that any
Pie and mash traditionally served with all these dishes. Prior to the introduction of chilies to the vinegar in recent years, the vinegar of choice was a plain malt vinegar like Sarsons. In recent years, some pie and mash shops have started to offer a broader selection of pies, including vegetarian and chicken versions, to serve a broader range of customers. Fruit pies (sprinkled with sugar) were already available in many shops as a dessert. Pie and mash Pie and mash is a traditional working-class food, originating in London. Pie, mash and eel shops have been in London since the 19th century, and