Recipes from the Dictionary of Newfoundland English: pipsi n also pipsey, pipshy

Until we announce the winner of our Recipe Redux Contest we'll be posting some recipes found in the Dictionary of Newfoundland English to inspire you. Here's one, reproduced as found in the online Dictionary of Newfoundland English. (cartoon by Jennifer Barrett)

pipsi n also pipsey, pipshy DC pipshi (Labr: 1771-);

PEACOCK English-Eskimo Dictionary 225 Fish, dried: pipsi; Labrador Inuit 101 pitsik 'dried fish.' Cod-fish and trout preserved by drying in the sun and wind without salt. [1771] 1792 CARTWRIGHT i, 138 I was greatly pleased with [the Eskimo] method of curing codfish without salt; which, in that state, they call pipshy. The fish is split down the back. the bone taken out, and the thick parts scored down to the skin, an inch asunder; two of them are then fastened together by their tails, and hung across a pole to dry in the open air. 1895 GRENFELL 63 To prevent scurvy in winter, when fresh fish is not attainable, salt meat must be avoided, even if they can afford to buy it. The following recipe is invented with that end: 'Dry the cod in the sun till it is so hard none can go bad. In winter powder this, rub it up with fresh seal oil, and add cranberries if you have any.' This dainty is known as 'Pipsey.' 1966 BEN-DOR 50 Dried fish, 'pipsi,' is the Eskimo technique of preserving cod and trout for future use. 1977 Inuit Land Use 123 Char caught in the spring make the best dried fish (pipsi); later in summer, their flesh is more oily, and it quickly becomes rancid if left long in the sun.

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Rattling Books is running a recipe contest inspired by the Dictionary of Newfoundland English. We call it Recipe Redux, aka Not Much Meat on a Carey Chick, Recipe Contest. Deadline for Entry submissions is October 1.