Twaite shad or gizzard shad from a family of white, migratory fish. The shad is a bony, tasty, oily fish similar to herring, which travels up rivers in spring and is found in deep lakes. In France it is found in the Gironde where it is often grilled over vine shoots or stuffed with sorrel, and in the Loire, where it may be stuffed with beurre blanc. The roe is a great delicacy and shad is also used raw in sushi. Members of the family include Allis shad (Alosa alosa) and the smaller twaite shad or gizzard shad (Alosa fallax).
"Pepper nut." Spicy, hard, round domed biscuits (US: cookies) flavoured with mixed spice, traditionally with cloves and cinnamon with a touch of black pepper, and made with ground nuts. They are usually sprinkled with iciing sugar (US: powdered sugar).. They are commonly baked in the Netherlands as part of the Sinterklaas celebtrations on 5th December. In Germany they are found at Christmas time. They are so hard when first baked that they need to be dunked, but they often up in time.
Pepino. Melon pear. Pepino is the Spanish for cucumber, which is confusing. The pepino is a cream coloured, melon-like fruit with purple splashes, but less sweet. It can be refreshing but may also be bitter. It is a good addition to bulk up a fruit salad, adding an interesting, if mild, flavour.
Persimmon. Date plum. Kaki. A soft, sweet winter fruit similar to a large tomato, originating in China and unknown in Europe until shown in Paris in 1873. It has green skin which ripens to a glossy orange red. It is eaten as a dessert in fruit salads or used in jam (US: jelly).
