The Scotch egg is a popular English food that’s traditionally served as an appetizer. It features a hard- or soft-boiled egg encased in sausage and breadcrumbs, then deep fried or baked to give it a crisp exterior. There are several stories that have been passed down about how it came to be. If you want to learn more about this delicious treat, here are a few of them.

3 Different Roots of the Scotch Egg

1. England

It’s believed that Fortnum & Mason, a luxury department store in London, was the one to introduce this dish. They served them as snacks for the wealthy to enjoy on their way home after shopping.

In the Whitby area of Yorkshire, you’ll find another story. They claim that an eatery known as William J. Scott & Sons covered their eggs in a creamy fish paste and called them “Scotties”. These were soon adopted by local English food stores, which used sausage instead of fish paste and changed the name in order to appeal to customers.

2. North Africa

North African cultures also encase hard boiled eggs in meat. As settlers moved between the borders during the African colonial period, the simple dish may have made its way into French and English cuisine. Since refrigeration wasn’t available at the time to keep meat fresh, spices were traditionally used to make them more appetizing.

3. India

Indian cuisine includes a dish called nargisi kofta, which is a spicy meatball wrapped around a boiled egg. While it features an assortment of different spices, the similarities are hard to discredit and reveal another influence that could have led to the evolution of the Scotch egg.

Enjoy a plate of fresh Scotch eggs when you visit Mad Dogs and Englishmen in Tampa, FL. This local pub has featured a full menu of authentic English food since 1991. They maintain a vast collection of draft beers and wines and offer live entertainment on a weekly basis. During their happy hour, enjoy a drink for $1 off. View their menu on their website, view reviews on Yelp, or call (813) 832-3037 to request a reservation.