A retired engineer from Glasgow has created a culinary sensation by combining Scottish haggis with Brazilian coxinhas, just as the two nations prepare to face each other at the World Cup. Jimmy Main, 75, swapped the traditional chicken filling for haggis to produce what he calls 'haggisxinha', a fusion snack that celebrates both cultures.
Main, from Easterhouse, was inspired by his Brazilian wife, Luciana, who taught him how to make coxinhas—teardrop-shaped dumplings made of dough and breadcrumbs. He now runs a business from a converted garage, producing up to 10,000 haggisxinhas a day for restaurants and shops across Scotland, including Edinburgh, Perth, Stirling, and Glasgow.
The idea took off after Main posted a promotion video on social media, which garnered over 70,000 views on Instagram alone. With the World Cup approaching, demand has surged, and Main plans to move to larger premises to cope. 'I hope that as people sit down to watch the Scotland v Brazil game they’ll get torn into the haggisxinha,' he said.
Main started the business partly to support his wife’s visa application, which was previously rejected because he is retired. He hopes the income from his venture will demonstrate his ability to support her and her daughter. 'If I have a good, healthy bank account and I can support my wife and my stepdaughter, hopefully they’ll be in Scotland soon,' he added.
