45. Parſnep, Paſtinaca, Carrot: firſt boil'd, being cold, is of it ſelf a Winter-Sallet, eaten with Oyl, Vinegar, &c. and having ſomething of Spicy, is by ſome, thought more nouriſhing than the Turnep.
46. Peaſe, Piſum: the Pod of the Sugar-Peaſe, when firſt beginning to appear, with the Husk and Tendrels, affording a pretty Acid, enter into the Compoſition, as do thoſe of Hops and the Vine.
47. Peper, Piper, hot and dry in a high degree; of approv'd Vertue against all flatulency proceeding from cold and phlegmatic Conſtitutions, and generally all Crudities whatſoever; and therefore for being of univerſal uſe to correct and temper the cooler Herbs, and ſuch as abound in moiſture; It is a never to be omitted Ingredient of our Sallets; provided it be not too minutely beaten (as oft we find it) to an almoſt impalpable Duſt, which is very pernicious and frequently adheres and ſticks in the folds of the Stomach, where, inſtead of promoting Concoction, it often cauſes a Cardialgium, and fires the Blood: It ſhould therefore be groſly contus'd only.
Indian Capſicum, ſuperlatively hot and burning, is yet by the Africans eaten with Salt and Vinegar by it ſelf, as an uſual Condiment; but wou'd be of dangerous conſequence with us; being ſo much more of an acrimonious and terribly biting quality, which by Art and Mixture is notwithſtanding render'd not only ſafe, but very agreeable in our Sallet.
Take the Pods, and dry them well in a Pan; and when they are become ſufficiently hard, cut them into ſmall pieces, and ſtamp 'em in a Mortar to duſt: To each Ounce of which add a Pound of Wheat-flour, fermented with a little Levain: Kneed and make them into Cakes or Loaves cut long-wiſe, in ſhape of Naples-Biſcuit. Theſe Re-bake a ſecond time, till they are Stone-hard: Pound them again as before, and ferce it through a fine Sieve, for a very proper Seaſoning, inſtead of vulgar Peper. The Mordicancy thus allay'd, be ſure to make the Mortar very clean, after having beaten Indian Capſicum, before you ſtamp any thing in it elſe. The green Husks, or firſt peeping Buds of the Walnut-Tree, dry'd to Powder, ſerve for Peper in ſome places, and ſo do Myrtle-berries.
48. Perſley, Petroſelinum, or Apium hortenſe; being hot and dry, opens Obſtructions, is very Diuretic, yet nouriſhing, edulcorated in ſhifted warm Water (the Roots eſpecially) but of leſs Vertue than Alexanders; nor ſo convenient in our crude Sallet, as when decocted on a Medicinal Account. Some few tops of the tender Leaves may yet be admitted; tho' it was of old, we read, never brought to the Table at all, as ſacred to Oblivium and the Defunct. In the mean time, there being nothing more proper for Stuffing, (Farces) and other Sauces, we conſign it to the Olitories. Note, that Perſley is not ſo hurtful to the Eyes as is reported. See Sellery.
49. Pimpernel, Pimpinella; eaten by the French and Italians, is our common Burnet; of ſo chearing and exhilarating a quality, and ſo generally commended, as (giving it admittance into all Sallets) 'tis paſs'd into a Proverb:
L'Inſalata non è buon, ne bella
Ove non è la Pimpinella.
But a freſh ſprig in Wine, recommends it to us as its moſt genuine Element.