Red snapper. A reef fish found along the eastern coast of North America and in the Gulf of Mexico. It has rosy skin, red eyes and lean, flaky, pink flesh which whitens as it cooks. It has a good, sweet flavour. In July 2004 it was reported (Nature, Vol 430, p 309) that most red snappers sold in the United States are not red snappers at all. Peter Marko of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill analysed DNA from a selection of fillets in eight US states and found that 25% were not red snapper but the related (and inferior) species of vermilion, lane and crimson snapper. Worse, 50% were unidentifiable or came from foreign oceans. Like many good fish, the red snapper has become rare and it came under strict management in 1996 to reduce exploitation.
Cuts of veal in North America generally correspond to beef cuts but because of European, especially Italian influence, there are many separate cuts such as neck slices, riblet, fore shanks, brisket pieces etc, confined to particular localities.
A variety of whelk which can reach up to a foot in length.
Large prawns related to king prawns, up to 15 cm (6 inches) in length, fished south of the Carolinas. They come in brown, pink and white.
American wigeon. A small duck common in the United States. It is called the baldpate wigeon because of its luminous white head marking.
A cocktail consisting of 22 ml (¾ fl oz) Amer Picon, 22 ml (¾ fl oz) sweet Italian vermouth. Shake with ice cubes and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
The amethyst deceiver is a very small, aptly named, delicate woodland mushroom with a gummy texture and mild flavour. It is found from late summer to early winter. The stem and cap are lilac-coloured. It can be cooked with other mushrooms in a mixed mushroom stew or served as a garnish to other dishes. (If gathering mushrooms you must be absolutely certain what you have before you eat them as many are very poisonous.)
