An ancient, but not necessarily rare breed of Scottish sheep, bred traditionally on Scottish hills so that the meat has good flavour. The Blackface breed is the most numerous breed in Britain accounting for over three million ewes, representing 16% of the British pure-bred ewe flock. The vast majority are found in Scotland. They are versatile, adaptable and hardy. They are good milkers and produce low-fat meat.
A generic term for wheels of semihard to hard cheese made with cow’s milk similar to Emmental. They have a springy yellow paste with a few holes and dense, tough dry rind with traces of bloom or mould. They are made in the high mountains of Bavaria. These cheeses are made with whole milk and contain 45% fat (dry)/27% (total). The curds are cooked and pressed. They may weigh 20-50kg (44-110 lbs). There are countless numbers of these cheese, often bearing the words "alp" or "berg" as part of their name.
Capercaillie. Black cock. Wood grouse. The largest of European gallinaceous birds; the male is also called Mountain Cock or Cock of the Woods. Formerly indigenous in the Scottish Highlands, where, after having become extinct, it has again been introduced from Scandinavia.
The mountain crowberry is a berry rather similar to a cranberry but with a black skin.It is found growing on a shrub in the hills of northern Europe.
Saxifrage. A leaf vegetable similar to lettuce which grows wild in rocky places along the East Coast of North America. It is used as a vegetable in the cuisine of the American South.
Orach. A plant which grows up to 1.5 meters (4 ft 6 inches) producing large indented leaves. They are used in salads when they are young or treated like spinach as they age. It is also used in soups. There are red and golden varieties.
A prolific variety of pea which is best eaten as mangetout when they are tiny. The purple pods retain their colour better if they are steamed.
A favourite of Alys Fowler, this is a three-coloured main crop potato, with purple skin, a little red underneath and creamy flesh. She recommends it for roasting.
