If truffles they are not specifically described as the more precious white truffle, these will almost invariably be the dark, gnarled black truffle – not so great as the spectacular white, but not to be sneezed at either. This is one of the great culinary delights. Winter or black truffles, dark and pungent, are more commonly found than the famous white truffles of Piedmont. In Italy the best are found in Norcia and Umbria, in France in Périgueux. They are also found in Spain and, believe it or not, in certain places in the United Kingdom, where historically they were overlooked. The summer truffle is a more mediocre variety.
The trumpeter is a game bird used in soups, stews and braised dishes. The Grey-winged trumpeter is native to the Amazon basin of South America, southeast Venezuela and Guiana. Natural diet: Grey-winged trumpeters feed on vegetable matter and insects. Size / weight range: This bird grows to be 17 to 24 inches in length and weighs a little over 2 pounds. Interesting facts: The Grey-winged trumpeter travels in flocks of 50 or more.
A bottle gourd or calabash cucumber which is pale green on the outside, creamy, yellowish-white inside and looks like a cucumber with a bulge at one end. Only the very young gourds are used for cooking. When older they are most commonly known as calabash and develop a hard, woody shell which may be used for making bowls and musical instruments.
Black chanterelle or horn of plenty. A wild mushroom which should be cooked.
Tub gurnard. Gurnards are strange-looking, bottom-feeding fish which use the three bottom rays of their pectoral fins to "feel" the sea bed. They have firm-textured white meat with not much flavour. They are rich in protein, iodine and phosphorus. The tub gurnard is a large brownish-orange variety with bright orange pectoral fins and is the one most readily available in the United Kingdom. They are all very bony fish. Small ones are excellent in soup. Red or grey mullet (US: striped mullet) can generally be substituted for it, and are usually better.
Tub gurnard. Gurnards are strange-looking, bottom-feeding fish which use the three bottom rays of their pectoral fins to "feel" the sea bed. They have firm-textured white meat with not much flavour. They are rich in protein, iodine and phosphorus. The tub gurnard is a large brownish-orange variety with bright orange pectoral fins and is the one most readily available in the United Kingdom. They are all very bony fish. Small ones are excellent in soup. Red or grey mullet (US: striped mullet) can generally be substituted for it, and are usually better.
