What is this Stovies?

Well the Ceilidh has passed and everyone appeared to have a great time. There will be other reports later on the proceedings.

However, Annemie sent a nice thank you letter to those involved in the organising and on the night. In it she mentioned I wrote a poem for the occasion. So I thought I would re-produce it here (with a translation for those who are Celtically challenged).

On Hearing of Stovies on the Menu

Weel kent, the haggis, bard renowned,
That Scots revere in pudden ranks.

But wait, men tak' yer fill
Fae luggies wi' a different bill.

Nae' gushin' entrails or reekin' swell
Jist tatties, an ingins an meat as well.

Fae a' the airts ye hear men's pleas
Gie us stovies.


Translation:

The haggis is well known and celebrated in a poem by Robert Burns
Also, Scots rate haggis highly compared with other similar foods

But hold on a moment. Come fill your stomachs
From cook pots containing something else

No gushing entrails (this is a metaphor so relax it's not really intestines), and spreading aroma

Only potatoes, onions and meat

From all around you can here men pleading

Give me stovies.



Why did we pick stovies? Well it's a traditional food and it's not a "special occasion" dish. Other traditional food is now mostly seen at special functions, like Burns Suppers. Nevertheless, in Scotland you can still get haggis and black pudding, in fish and chip shops, but they are nearly always served with chips. We call these "haggis suppers" or "black pudding suppers" (but served at any time of the day).

Someone may provide a more descriptive recipe for stovies later, with pictures.

One thing I really miss from Scotland in a "plain loaf " which I have never found reproduced in any other place. Ah well! Maybe my next poem will be where have all the plain loaves gone?