Roman FoodRoman Food - the Second Course The second course of a Roman dinner might include birds such as the Guinea hen, the woodcock, flamingo, the pheasant and the thrush. The liver of a capon steeped in milk dressed with pepper was regarded as a delicacy. The peacock was also a very expensive favorite of the Patrician class. Fish dishes were endless and included fish such as the turbot, the sturgeon, the mullet, eels and prawns in a sauce. Meats included pork, bacon, boar and venison. Pickles, sauces, truffles, mushrooms and other vegetables were also served. Roman Food - the Dessert The bellaria or dessert consisted of nuts and fruits (which the Romans usually ate uncooked), almonds, dried grapes, dates, sweetmeats and confections. Cheesecakes, almond cakes and tarts were also served. Roman Food served at a Roman Feast or Banquet A description of Roman Food served at a supper feast held by Petronius (ca. 27–66), a Roman writer, is as follows: A large round tray is brought in, with the signs of the zodiac figured all round it, upon each of which the artist had placed some appropriate viand (delicious dish). A goose on Aquarius, a pair of scales with tarts and cheesecakes in each scale on Libra. In the middle was placed a hive supported by delicate herbage. Four slaves come forward dancing to the sound of music taking away the upper part of the dish beneath which appeared all kinds of dressed meats. A hare with wings, to imitate Pegasus in the middle and four figures of Marsyas (satyrs) at the corners. Then pouring hot sauce over the fish, that were swimming in the Euripus (the Euripus was a strait on the Aegean Sea) below. Finishing with the porcus Trojanus (a huge sort of pudding stuffed with the flesh of other animals) Roman Food The content of this Roman Food category on life in Ancient Rome provides free educational details, facts and information for reference and research for schools, colleges and homework. Refer to the Colosseum Sitemap for a comprehensive search on interesting different categories containing the history, facts and information about Ancient Rome. |