Borage. An herbaceous perennial plant with brilliant, star-like, blue flowers and blue green leaves used in salads, drinks, soups and stews, chopped into cream cheese, mayonnaise or egg salad, but care must be taken to use only the smallest leaves and chop very finely, or the hairs will irritate. The leaves have a slight flavour of cucumber and can be cooked in the same way as spinach while the flowers can be crystallised or used in fritters. It is sometimes used to flavour pastry dough. The plant is Mediterranean in origin and thrives in sunshine and warmth.
Ruff (US: ruffe) or pope - a fish. I am finding it difficult to describe this fish. Some describe it as a freshwater fish found in temperate regions of Europe and northern Asia, similar to the walleye of the Great Lakes. Here the introduction of the fish has been disastrous, damaging to local populations. Predators have been introduce and poisons specific to this fish are being investigate to try to eradicate it. The ruff is usually 4-6 inches (10 - 25 cm) in length and will never exceed 10 inches, but is a very aggressive fish for its size. The ruffe also has a large, spiny dorsal fin likely distasteful to its predators. Others describe it as a small freshwater European perch, which sounds a friendlier fish altogether. Perhaps in its own native waters the balance has meant that it does not require to be aggressive. Could you send details (and a picture) to queries@whatamieating.com if you know more?
Garfish. A striking, beaked, marine fish up to 60 cm (2 ft) long, with a backbone which turns bright green on cooking and a delicious flavour, found on most European coasts.
Sea scorpion. An ugly fish from North Atlantic waters. It has spines on its head which may be poisonous. Sea scorpions are occasionally used in fish soups.
