It’s nearly Burns Night – a celebration of Robert Burns’ life and poetry.
Widely celebrated across Scotland, the tradition started shortly after Burns’ death, when his friends made a pact to celebrate his life every year on July 21 – the date of his death – but over the years it became tradition to celebrate Burns Night on a different date.
Burns Night is celebrated with some traditional Scots attire and music – including Auld Lang Syne, which might be more synonymous with New Years’ Eve but actually takes its lyrics from a Burns poem.
There is also the Burns Supper which is the highlight of the day. Many will celebrate with friends and family (only this year that will be kept strictly within households and support bubbles) who will feast on different dishes including, yes, haggis.
So, when is Burns Night and just what is in the traditional Scottish dish?
When is Burns Night 2023?
Originally celebrated on the anniversary of his death, Burns Night is now celebrated on the poet and writer’s birthday instead – January 25, which this year falls on a Wednesday.
The first Burns Supper was held in 1801, and since then new rituals have been added as families and friends come together.
However, the main purpose of the day is still to celebrate Burns, often considered one of the greatest Scots in history.
This could involve readings of his work and a traditional Burns Supper, which would traditionally involve haggis.
What is haggis?
Haggis is typically a big part of a Burns Night feast as the man himself was a fan of the national dish, describing it as the ‘great chieftain o’ the puddin-‘race’ in his ode to the dish, called Address to a Haggis.
But what exactly is haggis?
Haggis is a type of savoury pudding, the main ingredients of which includes the liver, heart, and lungs of a sheep (usually, but it could be another animal), minced and mixed with beef or mutton suet and oatmeal and seasoned with onion, cayenne pepper, and other spices.
The mixture is packed into a sheep’s stomach and boiled.
Haggis is typically served with the classic side of mashed neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes).
Is there a vegetarian or vegan haggis alternative?
For veggies and vegans, you can still partake in the haggis having.
There are different alternatives suitable for either veggies or vegans, switching the ingredients to a mix of fresh vegetables, pulses, oatmeal, seeds and spices.
BBC Good Food have a vegetarian alternative you can make yourself, or there are alternatives suitable for vegetarians and vegans that you can buy from the supermarket, including Macsween Haggis.
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