Stargazy pie is a Cornish dish made of baked pilchards (sardines), along with eggs and potatoes, covered with a pastry crust. Although there are a few variations using other types of fish, the unique feature of stargazy pie is fish heads protruding through the crust, so that they appear to be gazing to the stars.
A stargazy pie, ready to serve
The pilchards must retain their heads
Stargazy pie, with sardines looking upwards before it is baked in the oven
Cornish cuisine encompasses the cooking styles, traditions and recipes associated with Cornwall and the Cornish people. It has been heavily influenced by the geography of the county as well as its social history.
A Cornish pasty
Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant, Padstow
Stargazy pie with sardines looking skywards
Cornish Pirates rugby players with a giant pasty that was paraded as part of the 2009 Saint Piran's Festival at Camborne.