Non alcoholic.

(looks like a typo to me. They've already got it covered under "to taste")

North American (meaning US) maybe....where we have pepper dust vs cracked pepper like the rest of the world ? :)

Yes, I guess it could be a typo, or they're telling you what black pepper to use? I just would have thought Epicurious would proof read, but, I'll just assume it's a typo. Thanks. :)

dbarron, I came across North American and wondered.....

I think it means does Not Apply

I don't know why, but I think I agree with Patty above, my gut says they mean to say black pepper optional.

Hmmm, well I guess I'll leave it out initially and see how it goes. Thanks all!

I'm thinking N/A = nonallergenic.

There are people who are allergic to black pepper. And, supposedly, applying heat (e.g. frying, boiling, etc) tends to reduce allergy-causing agents in black pepper and other spices. But I ain't no expert on the subject.

Sol

This looks like a recipe for a vinaigrette. I'd guess it's a typo. If it is a vinaigrette - in my opinion you don't really need to worry about the recipe. - vinegar and oil (I usually use a ratio of 4:6 but it doesn't really matter) . Use red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, balsamic, sherry, or especially delicious - pear or apple! The dijon and a really good shake. Use the salt, pepper and/or sugar if you like - add a small amount of minced up shallot or red onion or add some herbs.

sonni, yes it's a vinaigrette. I'm trying to duplicate/discover whatever I had at a nearby restaurant the other night. It was a red wine vinaigrette, and when you first tasted it, it almost tasted like nothing. But about the time you thought bleh, I won't order this again, the most wonderful, subtle flavors hit. It was delicious! I called the restaurant to see if by chance they would give me the recipe. (some will) But alas, a no go. :/

Beth, I'm always trying to figure out what I had at a restaurant! Did the menu have a name for the dressing? That can give you clues as to what was in it. Also, I've googled a menu item with the restaurant name- sometimes there are copycat recipes on line!

N/A usually means not applicable, so maybe the author didn't think black pepper was the best for this recipe? Or maybe someone was adapting a recipe and it means Not Added.

sonni, just Red Vinaigrette. :/

Olychick, that's what I always thought it meant. But if you google that, there are many different meanings. But none of them seemed to "truly" fit this.

I personally love black pepper (and red and white pepper too), and throw it on everything savory pretty much.

Yeah, I use black pepper a lot too. I use the fine dust as someone up thread said lol, but I also have a grinder for when coarse is warranted.

Here's what Wikipedia has:

n/a or N/A is a common abbreviation in tables and lists for the phrase not applicable, not available, or no answer. It is used to indicate when information in a certain table cell is not provided, either because it does not apply to a particular case in question or because the answer is not available.

Which makes me think it might be a glitch in the formatting?

Don't leave it out!!! If you don't like coarse ground, don't use that carp in a box....buy a decent pepper grinder that adjusts from coarse to fine....but don't leave it out of your vinaigrette...it's a very important component.
Could someone have fat fingered "FG"....for Fresh Ground?

Ok, ok, I promise I won't leave it out!! lol ;)

Red vinaigrette? Maybe there was something else red in there besides red wine vinegar?
I make a basic French dressing....salt, pepper, sugar, vinegar and oil and a bit of mustard to emulsify. But....I often add a splash of a special balsamic vinegar...I have used peach, tangerine, strawberry....and I had some pomegranit that was really good. Perhaps there was something like that in the dressing.
Another possibility was something like grenadine instead of sugar....and I have also used red current jelly, warmed with a bit of the vinegar before mixing to melt the jelly.
Without tasting it wlll be difficult to reproduce unless you can ID that elusive flavor.

I'm with plllog. I think it's a character substitution, too.

lindac, yeah, I haven't a clue what it was I was tasting, just knew it was good. :/