Friday word: Gherkin

[med_cat]

gherkin, n. gher·kin \ˈgər-kən\

1a : a small prickly fruit used for pickling; also : a pickle made from this fruit

b : the slender annual vine (Cucumis anguria) of the gourd family that bears gherkins

2: the immature fruit of the cucumber especially when used for pickling
~~
West Indian gherkin:




First Known Use: 1661

Example

It was salad with cheese and meat that was topped with slivers of gherkins.
—
susan selasky, sacbee.com, "Tiny cornichons are big addition to salads and sauces," 30 May 2017


Etymology

Dutch gurken, plural of gurk cucumber, ultimately from Middle Greek agouros

Comments

[theidolhands.livejournal.com]

Me likey pickled gherkins (have a jar in the 'fridge now as a matter of a fact)!

[med_cat]

Hee hee ;)

I like the pickled cucumber variety, on occasion; haven't tried the kind in the photo yet ;))

[ersatz-read.livejournal.com]

Mmm, gherkins.... I haven't been able to try growing the ones in the photo yet (having trouble finding seed), but my friend says the sanditas I sometimes grow (http://modernfarmer.com/2013/11/coolest-cucumber-never-met/) are very similar and can be fried up with masala in much the same way.

[med_cat]

A very interesting fruit/vegetable :)

Never heard of it, either; thanks!