How do you spell romance? H-A-G-G-I-S!
Scottish lovers in the United States will have to do without their favorite romantic meal for the 22nd year, as haggis is still not legally allowed into the United States. Amid earlier reports of the ban being lifted, the Obama administration has clarified that it is simply reviewing the policy, but results are not yet finalized. Sadly, this is another instance of government discussion about issues important to the American people, with a questionable path to actual results. Haggis, of course, is the national dish of Scotland, and is made of sheep innards (heart, liver, lungs, and fat) mixed with spices and oatmeal, all cooked up in a sheep’s stomach. Yum! Here in the U.S., butchers have been trying to concoct a haggis-like product, and people have had to “put up with the U.S. version, which is made from beef and is bloody awful“. Apparently what’s missing is the sheep offal (not awful). Haggis was banned from import in 1989 amid concerns the ‘mad cow disease’ epidemic, and meat products containing lungs of any kind have been banned since 1971. The lungs are truly the key to a good haggis, as producer Fraser MacGregor of Cockburn’s in Dingwall says, “If it hasn’t got lamb’s lung, it isn’t haggis.” Amen, brother. Go have yourself a steak or something inferior for Valentine’s Day, and hope for some romantic haggis next year.
(Note: haggis is traditionally eaten on Robert “Bobby” Burns’ night, which was January 25th, but Valentine’s Day is way funnier, and most people here don’t follow the celebration of Burns’ night).
