Awful Offal

     There are several theories as to the origin of Haggis, the National Dish of Scotland.  Some claim that it is the first road food, prepared by the wives of Scottish cattle drivers as a meal that could be eaten as the live stock were being herded down the glens from the highlands to market.  Others theorize that when royalty decreed an animal be slaughtered for meat the countrymen were permitted to keep the offal as their stipend.  Tradition has it that the internal organs and entrails were minced with onions, oatmeal, suet and spices and stuffed into the stomach of a sheep and simmered for 3 hours.

     Haggis is both revered and reviled by locals and expatriates alike.  It is the main course at the Robert Burns birthday celebration dinner around the world and is served with turnips and mashed potatoes, and lots of Scottish whiskey.  You can also find it on the menu in Scottish fast food establishments, deep fried in batter and served with "chips," what we call fries.  It has also been used as a topping on pizzas.  

     Think it will catch on in the States?