The
International Gastronomical Must Have Reference Work
Copyright©2005-2011
Jack Vanderwyk
Z . Zafferano (It.): saffron. This flavoring ingredient consists of the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus. Very expensive, it imparts a warm golden color and subtle flavor to risotti and sauces. The most famous Italian dish using saffron is Risotto Milanese. Zampone (It.): this is a specialty sausage from Modena, and is a pig's leg stuffed with minced pork shoulder and other cuts of meats. It has a unique flavor and is quite fatty. It is commonly served with stewed lentils as a side dish. Zanahorias (Sp.): carrots. Zarzuela (Sp.): casserole. Za'tar (Arab.): Middle Eastern seasoning mix of ground sesame seeds, sumac berrries, thyme and salt. Zenzero (It.): ginger; red pepper. Zeppole (di San Giuseppe) (It.): cream puff type sweets eaten on St. Joseph's Day in Rome. Zest: colored, oily outer skin of citrus fruit which, when grated or peeled, is used to flavor foods and liquids. The rind of citrus fruits such as orange, grapefruit, lime, and lemon). The rind of the fruit contains oils of essence that lend a nice flavor to the final dish. It is commonly candied or crystallized for pastry use. When zesting, be careful not to include the white pith, as it adds a bitterness. Zeste (Fr.): zest, or citrus peel with white pith removed. Zester: small tool for scraping off zest. Zewelmai, zewelwai (Ger.): Alsatian onion tart. Zinfandel: the red grape the USA has made its own, with wide plantings in California especially. It is also grown in southern Italy where it is known as Primitivo. Characteristics: red and black fruits, black pepper. Zingara, à la - (Fr.): gypsy style; with tomato sauce. Also classically, a garnish of ham, tongue, mushrooms, and truffles. Ziti (It.): tubular maccheroni originally from Southern Italy. Zucca (It.): pumpkin; squash, winter squash; see also Fiore. A family of vegetables that has a thick, hard, usually inedible rind, rich-tasting meat, and lots of seeds. Pumpkin is a popular filling for tender tortelli in Mantua, and is also used in risottos and soups. Zucchero (It.): sugar. Zucchine, zucchini (It.): summer squash, zucchini. Also known as vegetable marrow, and courgette. Zumo (Sp.): juice. Zwieback: refers to bread that is baked, cut into slices and then returned to the oven until very crisp and dry.
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