How did the British Sausage dish “Toad in the Hole” Originate and what does its name mean?

The British dish, “Toad in the Hole” is similar to the American dish “pig-in-a-blanket”.

Sausages are dipped in Yorkshire pudding batter, then baked, and is usually served with vegetables and onion gravy.

The origin of the name is not completely clear. The dish itself is at least 250 years old and probably older.

Many agree that the dish’s resemblance to a toad sticking its little head out of a hole gave the dish with its unusual name.

An 1861 recipe by Charles Elme Francatelli does not mention sausages, instead including as an ingredient bits and pieces of any kind of meat, which are to be had cheapest at night when the day’s sale is over.

A variation of the original dish during World War II used pieces of Spam as a replacement for sausages.

The recipe itself is really simple, place a pan in the oven and pre-heat for 15 minutes while you prepare the batter. Add the sausages and batter and cook for half an hour. Done.