The Unusual Way You Can Eat Pizza In Scotland

When you think of traditional Scottish cuisine, some specific dishes and beverages likely come to mind — haggis, kippers, Bonchester cheese, stovies, Scotch pie, Cullen skink, Dundee marmalade, and whisky, just to name a few (per The Scotsman). And if you ever have the chance to visit Scotland, you'll quickly discover there is definitely no shortage of hearty, indulgent eats. The country's official website explains that restaurants and home cooks alike are able to enjoy fresh provisions year round thanks to its encompassing waters and luxuriant landscapes.

There is one particular menu item you can feast on in Scotland that may have many Americans booking flights immediately after reading this. When it comes to pizza, the options are seemingly endless. Whether you prefer your 'za made with thin crust, hand-tossed Neapolitan rounds, or deep dish; classic tomato or white sauce; piled high with toppings galore or a simple layer of cheese, the end result will be pretty amazing. In Scotland, however, pizza pies are generally cooked outside of a conventional oven. How is that even possible, you ask? Hint: The Scots' pizza-making method yields a crispy, mouthwatering texture and ultra savory flavor.

Yep, you read that right. Deep. Fried. Pizza. According to TasteAtlas, deep-fried pizza is dunked in hot oil until crisp, with no batter involved in the mix, as one may imagine. In fact, the pies are often fried in the same oil vat as fish and chips at chip shops across the nation. Delighted Cooking explains that deep-fried pizza is sold by the slice, but if you're really hungry or need to feed a group, whole pies are available for purchase as well.

In addition to the un-battered deep-fried pizza, there's also a version coated in a similar fashion as other wonderfully greasy foods you'll find at state fairs. A Redditor confirms that this uniquely Scottish creation is called "pizza crunch" rather than just "deep-fried pizza." Both are commonly served with chips (or fries, as Americans like to say) on the side. It's important, though, to understand that not every edible bit in Scotland is extremely caloric.

"[Scotland's fast food diet] is not the norm, but it's funny to pretend it is to unknowing visitors," writes Vice contributor and Scotland native Katie Gallogly-Swan. "It's funny. It feels like my own inside joke with other Scots ... When we are tourists, we necessarily reduce the places we're visiting to bite-sized chunks we can understand. And in Scotland's case, these chunks come battered and fried."