Sponge gourd. Smooth gourd. When it is old it becomes coarse and fibrous and is actually the loofah you use in the bath. However, it is eaten throughout Asia. It resembles a cucumber when it is young and needs to be salted to reduce the bitterness before use.
Black peppercorns, the fruit of a perennial vine with large leaves and white flowers. Green peppercorns are the unripe fruits picked early and pickled. Black peppercorns are picked just before they ripen and white peppercorns are the ripe, black peppercorns with the black skin flaked off. They are best kept whole and ground when required. Historically, pepper was one of the world's most important spices. Columbus sailed West, not East, in search of pepper in the East Indies. Instead he found the Americas and allspice.
Fenugreek leaves. Both the leaves and seeds are used, in the same way as they are for coriander (US: cilantro). The flavour of the seeds is improved by light frying. The leaves are very small.
Fenugreek leaves. Both the leaves and seeds are used, in the same way as they are for coriander (US: cilantro). The flavour of the seeds is improved by light frying. The leaves are very small.
Fenugreek. The seeds impart a distinctive, smoky flavour to dishes. Both the leaves and seeds are used, in the same way as they are for coriander (US: cilantro).
Fenugreek leaves. Both the leaves and seeds are used, in the same way as they are for coriander (US: cilantro). The flavour of the seeds is improved by light frying. The leaves are very small.
