Mashed, shaped into batons and boiled, or even French fried, celery root can provide a winning accompaniment to a fresh green vegetable or salad and anything roasted or grilled.

NPR: The Vegetable World's Ugly Duckling: Celeriac

But French and U.S. officials said they haven't gotten the green light for all of the missions they seek.

WSJ: Militants, Chased From Mali, Pose New Threats

Although the French have become increasingly green-minded, with plastic bags disappearing from supermarket checkouts and regular recycling collections, Mr Sarkozy's plans have prompted a political outcry.

ECONOMIST: Hot air over a tentative carbon tax

Speaking during the debate on 10 December 2012, French Green MEP Eva Joly said the agreement would "enshrine deep unfairness between the EU and Central America".

BBC: MEPs back Latin American trade agreement

Moving through dense jungle, I watched for green vervet monkeys, brought to Saint Kitts as pets, and then left behind when the French departed in 1783.

BBC: The last railway in the West Indies