The Scotch Egg requires no introduction; but the origins of this delicious snack are a source of much debate.
It is said to have been invented in 1738 by the London department store Fortnum & Mason of Piccadilly. They could, however, have been influenced by the Mughlai dish nargisi kofta ("Narcissus meatballs"). The first printed recipe can be found in Maria Rundell's A New System of Domestic Cookery, published in 1809.
Maria Rundell - A New System of Domestic Cookery, 1809
Originally they were not covered in sausage meat but in a rich, creamy fish paste before being sprinkled with breadcrumbs. Their name in those days was 'Scotties,' allegedly because they were made at an eatery by the name of William J Scott & Sons close to the seafront. Hence, over a period of time, the term Scotch eggs was adopted.Due to a lack of meat during WWII, the Scotch Egg's quality deteriorated, and we began to lose faith in the product. Food manufacturing embraced technology more and more, and by the 1960s and 1970s, our breadcrumbed hero had lost his superpowers due to inferior, over-processed meat and the wrong kind of breadcrumbs used by competitors. As a result, many people thought it was a bit naff and out of style.
Despite these challenges its appeal comes down to the fact that it has remained an astonishingly simple dish to make and, even using the highest quality of ingredients, relatively economical too.
The Scotch Egg has changed over the years and has become supremely adaptable This week (2nd-9th May) we are celebrating the British Snacking Icon.
Over the years we have not been afraid to experiment with new kinds of flavours and ingredients, from black pudding to our NEW: Hog Roast (sage, apple & red onion) elevating it to finger food at co*cktail parties or becoming the must-have on that all important summer time picnic!
FAQs
Their name in those days was 'Scotties,' allegedly because they were made at an eatery by the name of William J Scott & Sons close to the seafront. Hence, over a period of time, the term Scotch eggs was adopted.
What is a Manchester egg? ›
Let's just jump right into it: A Manchester egg is a pickled egg wrapped in pork meat and black pudding (another Manchester favourite!). The egg is then dipped in breadcrumbs and fried. It's served warm, generally as a pub snack.
How healthy is scotch egg? ›
a whopping 50% more protein than your standard hen's fare, plus double the heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Adding iron-rich black pudding to your sausage casing pumps up the body-bulking calories, while coating it with pine nut-spiked breadcrumbs gives you a bump of cholesterol-crushing fats and fibre.
Were Scotch eggs invented in Scotland? ›
If you haven't had a Scotch egg before, it is a pub and picnic food delicacy you should try. However, don't be fooled. A Scotch egg is actually of English origin (Yorkshire). First, no self-respecting Scot would use the term Scotch for anything other than whisky.
Can you call a Scottish person Scotch? ›
Scotch is an adjective in English, meaning "of or from Scotland". Many Scots dislike the term Scotch and some consider it offensive. The modern usage in Scotland is Scottish or Scots, and the word Scotch is now only applied to specific products, mostly food or drink, such as Scotch whisky, Scotch pie and Scotch broth.
Why is it called Scotch? ›
While all spirits in these categories share some similar characteristics, they boast their own flavor palates and distilling processes. Scotch whisky (plural form “whiskies”) is a dark spirit made from malt and/or grain and is produced in Scotland.
Are Scotch eggs best eaten hot or cold? ›
Scotch eggs can be enjoyed hot or cold. When served hot, the egg yolk is usually still slightly soft and runny, while a fully-cooked yolk is more common when served cold.
How long do Scotch eggs last in the fridge? ›
Cooked Scotch Eggs will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you are preparing Scotch Eggs in advance and want to store them until you're ready to cook, you can store Uncooked Scotch Eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can freeze Scotch eggs for around three months.
What is traditionally served with Scotch eggs? ›
Traditional Scotch Eggs are hard-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage meat, breaded and fried. Served with a delicious mustard dipping sauce, this is quintessential British fare served in pubs.
Why are eggs not refrigerated in Scotland? ›
According to Swan, “salmonella isn't as common in Europe1 [as in the US2, and] hens may be vaccinated against salmonella.” Plus, eggs aren't cleaned with water so the protective coating stays intact, lowering the chances of salmonella entering the egg.
They were supposedly named after William J. Scott & Sons, a well-known eatery which sold them. It has also been suggested that they were originally called "scorch" eggs, as they were cooked over an open flame, though according to surviving recipes they were deep-fried in lard.
Do they have Scotch eggs in America? ›
But while these hearty snacks have been served at picnics, pubs and corner stores in the United Kingdom since the late 18th century, the Scotch egg's modish repute stateside is a fairly recent phenomenon. Why, then, has it become one of the hottest rising trends on American menus?
What does Scotch mean in cooking? ›
A traditional Scotch Egg is a boiled egg coated in pork sausage meat, with an outer crust of breadcumbs. The deep fried snack is called a Scotch Egg because the process of mincing the meat to go around the egg is known as scotching.
What does peated Scotch mean? ›
Peated whisky is given a smoky flavour by compounds which are released by the peat fires used to dry malted barley. The Length and intensity of exposure to the peat smoke dictates the strength of this flavour as do the characteristics of the peat itself.
Is Scotch whiskey scottish? ›
Scotch Whisky must, by law, be distilled and matured in Scotland in oak casks for at least three years and bottled at a minimum alcoholic strength of 40% abv. The robust legal protection of Scotch – vital to safeguard a spirit globally renowned for its quality – has grown over time.
How to stop Scotch eggs splitting when cooking? ›
Place the egg in the middle and wrap the egg with the meat. Pinch the edges together and smooth the ball so that there are no gaps or bumps. (If the covering isn't even, the Scotch egg will split during cooking.)
