De re coquinaria is a collection of Roman cooking recipes from 5th century CE. Book contains recipes organized in ten books with Greek titles. Language shows transition from Classical to Vulgar Latin. Many recipes include exotic ingredients like flamingo
Pretzels are baked pastries shaped like knots with intertwined dough ends. Originated in 610 AD by Italian monk as student reward. Name "Brezel" may derive from Latin bracellus or medieval bracelet. Traditional shape represents folded arms during prayer
Skewer is a thin metal or wood stick used to hold food together. Metal skewers are stainless steel with pointed tip and grip. Non-metallic skewers made from bamboo or hardwoods. Wooden skewers may need water soaking before grilling
Kipper is a whole herring split, gutted, salted and cold-smoked over wood chips. Word likely derives from Old English "cypera" meaning copper. Process involves cleaning, filleting and butterflying to expose maximum surface area
Pickled cucumber is a fermented cucumber in brine or vinegar. First developed for Chinese Great Wall construction or Mesopotamia around 2030 BC
Herring are forage fish found in large schools near fishing banks. Three species exist, with Atlantic herring accounting for over half commercial capture. Raw herring contains 72% water, 18% protein, 9% fat, and 158 calories per 100g