What is a Scotch egg? The history of Scotch eggs is fascinating and contains some controversy. Many people and organizations claim to have invented this unique culinary creation. Everyone wants to say they were first. However, before I talk about the origin story of the Scotch egg, I feel I first have to discuss what exactly a scotch egg is. 

What is a Scotch Egg Anyway?

A Scotch egg is a common picnic food in England . In the UK you can buy packaged Scotch eggs in supermarkets, corner shops and gas stations. A classic Scotch egg is a soft boiled egg that has been completely wrapped in sausage. It is then breaded and baked or fried. I can’t find anything wrong with this food. Anytime you can combine sausage, eggs, and deep frying, I’m gonna be there. 

In the UK there are different versions and variations. You have mini Scotch eggs that are chopped up eggs or a quail egg. Sometimes they make an egg salad out of the chopped egg by adding some mayonnaise or chopped bacon. I swear this just keeps getting better and better! However, in my mind it shouldn’t be an either or with the mayonnaise or chopped bacon. Let’s just add both. Give the people what they really want, right?

In the UK these are often served cold. In the US they are served in British-style pubs. They are often served hot with dipping sauces like ranch dressing or hot sauce. If there is one thing you can count on in America it’s that we are going to find a way to fry something and cover it in sauce. It’s just a formula that continues to work well. 

Renaissance festivals and state fairs are also locations you can find a Scotch egg in the United States. Some fairs will serve them on a stick.

Different Variations of a Scotch Egg

There are some interesting regional varieties in England. In Manchester there is a version that uses a pickled egg wrapped in a mix of pork meat and black pudding. This is called a Manchester Egg. There is a Worcester egg that uses an egg that has been pickled in Worcestershire sauce and wrapped in a mix of local sausage meat and white pudding. I had no idea what white pudding was so I looked it up quickly. It is like a black pudding except it doesn’t include the blood. There is meat, oatmeal and usually fat or suet. However, I’m not sure how much interest I have in a Scotch egg that has been pickled if I’m being honest. 

History of a Scotch Egg

Now that we have covered what a Scotch egg is, let’s dive into its origin story. In 1805 a recipe for Scotch eggs appeared in an edition of Maria Rundell’s A New System of Domestic Cookery. This recipe did not have a breadcrumb layer that we have today. We know that one of the first instances of the name, “Scotch egg,” was in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1809. The Oxford Companion to Food theorized that the origin of a Scotch egg may be Indian koftas. That theory makes a lot of sense to me when you think about England’s history with India. A lot of Indian spices and influence came to England’s cuisine. However, I’m not sure it really stands up. 

A kofta is a meatball that is stuffed with chopped hard boiled egg and spices. However, there is one burning question. If the scotch egg was inspired by an Indian dish, why were the exotic spices removed? This theory is just that, a theory.

There are many cultures through Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia that all have a variation of some form kofta. Some are wrapped around an egg like a Scotch egg. Each culture with a similar dish has put their own spin on it. The UK has done the same. That’s the beauty of the culinary world. Someone will have a great idea for a dish.