Tropical almond. The fruit looks similar to the almond and is usually pale green, though it may be reddish-purple. There is a fibrous seed containing a pointed kernel, or nut. It can be eaten fresh and raw, or cooked. It is sometimes difficult to remove the fibrous seed without damaging the nut. There is a thin covering of skin on the nut, and it is worth removing it as it can be very astringent. It is much prized in the Moghul cooking of northern India, they are eaten fresh or used in badam barfi, fudge-like sweets, or used to thicken sauces in dishes such as korma. They are grown in Kashmir and Afghanistan as they do not grow well in tropical regions. Elsewhere, cashew and other nuts are substituted.
Myrtle. Usually the bitter fresh or dried leaves of the plant are used, although the berry fruits are used as a subsitute for black pepper. The aroma of the leaves is sweetly pungent and they are used as the basis of many perfumes.
Split black gram lentil. Hulled, it is a creamy white, which is why it is sometimes called white gram.
Wallago. A catfish of the family of sheatfishes, the Siluridae. It can reach 240 cm (8 ft) in length and is found from Bangladesh to Vietnam and Afghanistan. This aggressive fish is quite feared in some river areas. It is not uncommon to find large fish or frogs in their stomachs.
Wallago. A catfish of the family of sheatfishes, the Siluridae. It can reach 240 cm (8 ft) in length and is found from Bangladesh to Vietnam and Afghanistan. This aggressive fish is quite feared in some river areas. It is not uncommon to find large fish or frogs in their stomachs.
Balls of vegetables or meat served in a thin sauce flavoured with spices such as ginger, cumin, coriander (US: cilantro), chilli and turmeric and containing strips of fish and vegetables.
A drink of yoghurt mixed with water and whipped with salt and black pepper. This is not a common drink in West Bengal.
