The crosne (du Japon) or Chinese artichoke is an unusual small tuberous vegetable, actually a rhizome with a flavour similar to Jerusalem artichoke and a texture like water chestnuts. Hedge nettle. Stachys. The neutral flavor renders the easy-to-grow root particularly suitable for mixing with legumes.  Run under a strong stream of water to clean, parboil briefly and toss in salads or with other prepared vegetables and seasonings.  Easy to establish in the garden and difficult to weed out once planted.

Shin (US: shank). Knuckle or calf's foot.

A small barrel of soft to hard cheese, depending on the age, made with goat's milk. As it ages towards autumn (US: fall) it becomes harder and harder and dry, and the flavour becomes sharper and tangier at the same time. It has a mould rind which is reddish-brown or grey. It is made on farms and in dairies around Chavignol in Sancerre in the Loire Valley. This cheese is at its best March to November and is made with raw, whole milk, having 45% fat (dry) or more. The curds are uncooked and unpressed. It may be found in the following dimensions: 4-5 cm ( 2") diameter x 3-4cm ( 1½") deep, weighing 60-110 g (2-4 oz). People in Berry normally eat this as a mature cheese. 'Crottin' refers to the dark colour of its skin at this stage. Its texture enables it to be fried for serving with salad as a starter. (AOC). The name is also given, incorrectly, to Chavignol-Sancerre. (AOC-1976).