Apicius: DE RE COQUINARIA

Mellis p.XV in aeneum uas mittuntur, praemissis vini sextariis duobus, ut in coctura mellis vinum decoquas. Quod igni lento et aridis lignis calefactum, commotum ferula dum coquitur, si effervere coeperit, vini rore conpescitur, praeter quod subtracto igni in se redit. Cum perfrixerit, rursus accenditur.

15 lb of honey are put into a bronze vessel, with two sextarii of wine sent in beforehand, so that in the cooking of the honey you may boil down the wine. Which, heated with a slow fire and dry wood, and, while it is cooking, stirred with a ferule, if it begins to boil over, is checked by a sprinkling of wine, apart from the fact that, when the fire is withdrawn, it subsides of itself. When it has thoroughly cooled, it is kindled again.

Hoc secundo ac tertio fiet, ac tum demum remotum a foco postridie despumatur. Tum mittis piperis uncias quattor iam triti, masticis scripulos III, folii et croci dragmae singulae, datilorum ossibus torridis quinque, isdemque dactilis vino mollitis, intercedente prius suffusione vini de suo modo ac numero, ut tritura lenis habeatur. His omnibus paratis supermittis vini lenis sextaria XVIII.

This will be done a second and a third time, and then at last, removed from the hearth, on the next day it is skimmed. Then you add four ounces of pepper already ground, 3 scruples of mastic, a single dram each of bay and saffron, five roasted stones of dates, and the same dates softened in wine, with a prior suffusion of wine intervening, in its own proper measure and quantity, so that a smooth trituration may be had. With all these prepared, you then pour over 18 sextarii of mild wine.

Carbones perfecto aderunt.

The charcoals will be at hand when it is completed.

2. CONDITUM MELIZOMUM PERPETUUM QUOD SUBMINISTRATUR PER VIAM PEREGRINANTI.

2. PERPETUAL HONEY‑SPICED WINE (MELIZOMUM) WHICH IS SUPPLIED ALONG THE WAY TO THE TRAVELER.

Piper tritum cum melle despumto in cupellam mittis conditi loco, et ad momentum quantum sit bibendum, tantum aut mellis proferas aut vini misceas. Sed si uas erit, nonnihil uini melizomo mittas, adiciendum propter mellis exitum solutiorem.

You put ground pepper with skimmed honey into a little cask, in the place for the spiced stock, and at the moment when there is to be drinking, in whatever quantity it is to be drunk, bring out just so much of the honey, or mix in wine in that amount. But if it will be a jar, add a little wine to the melizomum, to be added on account of the freer outflow of the honey.

II. Absinthium Romanum

2. Roman Absinthe

1. ABSINTHIUM ROMANUM SIC FACIES.

1. ROMAN ABSINTHE YOU WILL MAKE THUS.

Conditi Camerini praeceptis, utique pro absinthio cessante; in cuius vicem absinthi Pontici purgati terendique unciam, Thebaicam dabis, masticis, folii scripulos III, vini eius modi sextarios XVIII. Carbones amaritudo non exigit.

By the precepts of Conditum Camerinum, especially with absinthe lacking; in its stead you will give a Thebaic ounce of Pontic absinthe, cleaned and to be ground, mastic, leaf, 3 scruples, and 18 sextarii of wine of that kind. Charcoals are not demanded by the bitterness.

III. Rosatum et violacium.

3. Rose-wine and violet-wine.

1. ROSATUM SIC FACIES.

1. Make Rosatum thus.

Folias rosarum, albo sublato, lino inseris ut sutilis facias, et vino quam plurimas infundes, ut septem diebus in vino sint. Post septem dies rosam de vino tollis et alias sutiles recentes similiter mittis, ut per dies septem in vino requiescant, et rosam eximis. Similiter et tertio facies et rosam eximis et vinum colas et, cum ad bibendum voles uti, addito melle rosatum conficies, sane custodito ut rosam a rore siccam et optimam mittas.

You insert petals of roses, the white removed, into linen so that you make them sewn-up, and you infuse as many as possible into the wine, so that for seven days they are in the wine. After seven days you take the rose out of the wine and likewise put in other fresh sewn-up ones, so that for seven days they may rest in the wine, and you remove the rose. In the same way you will do a third time, and you remove the rose and strain the wine; and, when you wish to use it for drinking, with honey added you will make rosatum. Be sure to take care that you put in the rose dry from dew and of the best quality.

Similiter, ut supra, et de viola violacium facies, et eodem modo melle temperabis.

Similarly, as above, you will make violet-wine from violet, and in the same way you will temper it with honey.

2. ROSATUM SINE ROSA SIC FACIES.

2. ROSE-WINE WITHOUT ROSE THUS YOU WILL MAKE.

Folia citri viridia in sportella palmea in dolium musti mittes antequam ferveat, et post quadraginta dies exime. Cum necesse fuerit, mel addes et pro rosto utere.

You will put green leaves of the citron in a little palm-basket into a vat of must before it ferments, and after forty days remove them. When it is necessary, you will add honey and use it in place of rosatum.

IV. Oleum Liburnium sic facies.

4. You will make Liburnian oil thus.

1. In oleo Spano mittes hellenium et cyperi et folia lauri non vetusta, tunsa omnia et cribellata, ad levissimum pulverem redacta, et sales frictos et tritos, et per triduum vel plus promisce diligenter. Post haec aliquanto tempore patere requiescere, et Liburnicum omnes putabunt.

1. Into Spanish oil you will put helenium and cyperus and laurel leaves not old, all pounded and sieved, reduced to the very lightest powder, and salts roasted and ground, and for three days or more mix them together carefully. After this, allow it to rest for some time, and everyone will think it Liburnian.

V. Vinum ex atro candidum facies.

5. You will make white wine from dark..

1. Lomentum ex faba factum vel ovorum trium alborem in lagonam mittis et diutissime agitas: alia die erit candidum. Et cineres vitis albae idem faciunt.

1. You put lomentum made from bean, or the white of three eggs, into a flagon and agitate it for a very long time: on the next day it will be white. And the ashes of the white vine do the same.

VI. De liquamine emendando.

6. On emending fish sauce.

1. Liquamen si odorem malum fecerit, val inan inversum fumiga lauro et cupresso, et in hoc liquamen infunde ante ventilatum. Si salsum fuerit, mellis sextarium mittis et moves picas, et emendasti; sed et msutum recens idem praestat.

1. If the liquamen should make a bad odor, fumigate an empty vessel turned upside-down with laurel and cypress, and into this pour the liquamen previously ventilated. If it is salty, you put in a sextarius of honey and stir with pikes, and you have corrected it; but fresh must likewise accomplishes the same.

VII. Ut carnes sine sale quovis tempore recentes sint.

7. That meats without salt may be fresh at any time.

1. UT CARNES SINE SALE QUOVIS TEMPORE RECENTES SINT.

1. THAT MEATS WITHOUT SALT MAY BE FRESH AT ANY TIME.

Carnes recentes quales volueris melle tegantur, sed vas pendeat et, quando volueris, utere. Hoe hieme melius fit, aestate paucis diebus durabit. Et in carne cocta itidem facies.

Let the meats, fresh, of whatever kind you wish, be covered with honey, but let the vessel hang and, when you wish, use it. This is done better in winter; in summer it will last for a few days. And you will do likewise with cooked meat.

2. CALLUM PORCINUM VEL BUBULUM ET UNGELLAE COCTAE UT DIU DURENT.

2. PORCINE OR BOVINE TRIPE AND COOKED GELATINS SO THAT THEY MAY LAST A LONG TIME.

In senapi ex aceto, sale, melle facta mittis ut tegantur et, quando volueris, utere: miraberis.

In mustard made from vinegar, salt, and honey, you put them so that they are covered, and, when you wish, use them: you will marvel.

VIII. Ut carnem salsam dulcem facias.

8. How to make salted meat sweet.

1. Carnem salsam dulcem facies, si prius in lacte coquas et postea in aquam.

1. You will make salted meat sweet, if first you cook it in milk and afterward in water.

IX. Pisces fricti ut diu durent.

9. Fried fish, so that they may endure for a long time.

1. UT PISCES FRICTI DIU DURENT.

1. THAT FRIED FISH MAY LAST FOR A LONG TIME.

Eodem momento quo friguntur et levantur ab aceto calido perfunduntur.

At the same moment when they are fried and lifted out, they are drenched with hot vinegar.

2. OSTREA, UT DIU DURENT.

2. OYSTERS, SO THAT THEY MAY LAST A LONG TIME.

Lavas ab aceto, aut ex aceto vasculum picitum lava, et ostrea compone.

Wash off from the vinegar, or wash with vinegar a little pitch‑coated vessel, and arrange the oysters.

X. Ut uncia laseris toto tempore durent.

10. That an ounce of laser may last for the whole time.

Laser in spatiosum doliolum vitreum mittis et nucleos pineos et puta viginti, cumque utendum fuerit lasere, nucleos contere, et in cibis miraberis sapores; et tantum numero nucleorum doliolo reserentur.

You put the laser into a roomy little glass jar and pine kernels—say twenty—and when the laser is to be used, grind the kernels, and in dishes you will marvel at the flavors; and let it be unsealed from the little jar only as many times as the number of the kernels.

XI. Ut dulcia de melle diu durent.

11. That honey sweets may last a long time.

1. UT DULCIA DE MELLE DIU DURENT.

1. THAT SWEETS FROM HONEY MAY LAST A LONG TIME.

Accipies quod Graeci dicunt cnecon et facies farinam et admisces cum melle eo tempore quo dulcia facturus es.

You will take what the Greeks call cnecon, and you will make it into flour, and you will mix it with honey at the time when you are going to make sweets.

2. UT MEL MALUM BONUM FACIAS.

2. HOW TO MAKE BAD HONEY GOOD.

Me malum bonum facies ad vendendum, unam partem mali et duas boni si simul miscueris.

You will make bad honey good for vending, if you mix together one part of the bad and two of the good.

3. MEL CORRUPTUM UT PROBES.

3. CORRUPT HONEY, HOW TO TEST IT.

Inlunium infundes in melle et incende. Si incorruptum est, lucet.

You will pour inlunium into the honey and ignite it. If it is uncorrupted, it shines.

XII. Uvae ut diu seruentur.

12. Grapes, how they may be preserved for a long time.

1. UVAE UT DIU SERVENTUR.

1. GRAPES, HOW THEY MAY BE KEPT FOR A LONG TIME.

Accipies uvas de vite inlaesas, et aquam pluvialem ad tertias decoques, et mittis in vas in quo et uvas mittis. Vas picari et gipsari facies, et in locum frigidum ubi soli accesusum non habet reponi facies et, quando volueris, uvas virides invenies. Et ipsam aquam pro hydromelli aegris dabis.

You will take grapes from the vine uninjured, and you will boil rain-water down to a third, and you put it into a vessel into which you also put the grapes. You will have the vessel pitched and plastered with gypsum, and you will have it stored in a cold place where it has no access of the sun, and, whenever you wish, you will find the grapes green. And you will give that same water to the sick in place of hydromel.

Et si in ordeo obruas, inlaesas invenies.

And if you bury them in barley, you will find them intact.

2. UT MALA ET MALA GRANATA DIU DURENT.

2. THAT APPLES AND POMEGRANATES LAST FOR A LONG TIME.

In calidam ferventem merge, et statim leva et suspende.

Immerse into hot boiling water, and at once lift and suspend.

3. UT MALA CIDONIA DIU SERVENTUR.

3. HOW CYDONIAN APPLES MAY BE KEPT FOR A LONG TIME.

Eligis mala sine vitio cum ramulis et foliis et condes in vas et suffundes mel et defritum et diu servabis.

Choose apples without defect, with small branches and leaves, and pack them in a vessel and pour over honey and defrutum, and you will preserve them for a long time.

4. FICUM RECENTEM, MALA, PRUNA, PIRA, CERASIA UT DIU SERVES.

4. FRESH FIG, APPLES, PLUMS, PEARS, CHERRIES, THAT YOU MAY KEEP FOR A LONG TIME.

Omnia cum peciolis diligenter legito et in melle ponito ne se contingant.

Pick everything carefully with their little stems, and place in honey so that they do not touch one another.

5. CITRIA UT DIU DURENT.

5. CITRONS, THAT THEY MAY LAST LONG.

In vas citrium mitte, gipsa, suspende.

Into a vessel put the citron, plaster (it) with gypsum, suspend (it).

6. MORA UT DIU DURENT.

6. MULBERRIES THAT THEY MAY LAST A LONG TIME.

Ex moris sucum facito et cum sapa misce et in vitrio vase cum mora mitte; custodies multo tempore.

Make juice from mulberries and mix it with sapa, and place it with the mulberries in a vitreous vessel; you will preserve it for a long time.

7. OLERA UT DIU SERVENTUR.

7. VEGETABLES THAT THEY MAY BE KEPT FOR A LONG TIME.

Olera electa no satis matura in vas picitum repone.

Store selected vegetables not fully ripe in a pitch-coated vessel.

8. RAPAE UT DIU SERVENTUR.

8. TURNIPS, THAT THEY MAY BE KEPT FOR A LONG TIME.

Ante accuratas et compositas asperges mirtae bacis cum melle et aceto.

Before they are carefully prepared and arranged, sprinkle with myrtle berries along with honey and vinegar.

9. ALITER.

9. ANOTHER WAY.

Senapi tempera melle, aceto, sale et super compositas rapas infundes.

Temper the mustard with honey, vinegar, and salt, and pour it over the arranged turnips.

10. TUBERA UT DIU SERVENTUR.

10. TRUFFLES, THAT THEY MAY BE KEPT FOR A LONG TIME.

Tubera quae aquae non vexaverint componis in vas alternis, alternis scobem siccam mittis et gipsas et loco frigido pones.

You arrange truffles which water has not vexed in a vessel in alternating layers; in alternation you put in dry sawdust, and you coat them with gypsum, and you will place them in a cold place.

11. DURACINA PERSICA UT DIU DURENT.

11. DURACINE PEACHES, SO THAT THEY MAY ENDURE FOR A LONG TIME.

Eligitio optima et mitte in muriam. Postera die exime et spongiabis diligenter et collocabis in vas. Fundes salem, acetum, satureiam.

Choose the best and put into brine. On the next day take out and sponge carefully and place in a vessel. Pour in salt, vinegar, and savory.

XIII. Sales conditos ad multa.

13. Seasoned salts for many uses.

1. Sales conditos ad digestionem, ad ventrem movendum, et omnes morbos et pestilentiam et omnia frigora prohibent generari, sunt autem et suavissimi ultra quam speras. Sales communes frictos lib.I, sales ammonicos frictos lib.II, piperis albi uncias III, gingiber unc.II, ammeos unc.I semis, timi unc.I semis, apii, seminis unc.I semis (si apii semem mittere nolueris, petroselini mittis unc.III), origani unc.III, erucae semen unc.I semis, piperis nigri unc.III, croci unc.I, ysopi Cretici unc.II, folium unc.II, petroselinum unc.II, aneti unc.II.

1. Seasoned salts for digestion, for moving the belly, and they prevent all diseases and pestilence and all chills from being generated; moreover, they are most pleasant beyond what you hope. Common salts, roasted, lb. 1; ammoniac salts, roasted, lb. 2; white pepper oz. 3; ginger oz. 2; ammi oz. 1 and a half; thyme oz. 1 and a half; of celery, seed, oz. 1 and a half (if you do not wish to add celery seed, you add parsley oz. 3); oregano oz. 3; rocket seed oz. 1 and a half; black pepper oz. 3; saffron oz. 1; Cretan hyssop oz. 2; bay leaf oz. 2; parsley oz. 2; dill oz. 2.

XIV. Oliuas uirides seruare ut quouis tempore oelum facias.

14. To preserve green olives so that at any time you may make oil.

1. Olivas de arbore sublatas in illud mittis, et erunt tales quovis tempore quasi mox de arbore demptae. De quibus, si volueris, oleum viridem facies.

1. You put the olives, taken down from the tree, into that, and they will be such at whatever time as if just now removed from the tree. From these, if you wish, you will make green oil.

XV. Cuminatum in ostrea et conchiclis.

15. A cumin-sauce for oysters and shellfish.

1. CUMINATUM IN OSTREA ET CONCHICLA.

1. CUMINATED FOR OYSTERS AND SHELLFISH.

Piper, ligusticum, petroselinum, mentam siccam, folium, malabatrum, cuminum plusculum, mel, acetum et liquamen.

Pepper, lovage, parsley, dried mint, bay leaf, malabathrum, a rather generous amount of cumin, honey, vinegar, and fish sauce.

2. ALITER.

2. OTHERWISE.

Piper, ligusticum, petrosilenum, mentan siccam, cuminum plusculum, mel, acetum, liquamen.

Pepper, lovage (ligusticum), parsley (petrosilenum), dried mint, a little more cumin, honey, vinegar, liquamen (fish sauce).

XVI. Laseratum.

16. Laser-Sauce.

1. LASERATUM.

1. LASER SAUCE.

Laser Cyrenaicum vel Parthicum tepida dissolvis cum aceto, liquamine temperatum, vel piper, petroselinum, mentam siccam, laseris radicem, mel, acetum, liquamen.

You dissolve Cyrenaic or Parthian laser with warm vinegar, tempered with liquamen; or pepper, parsley, dried mint, the root of laser, honey, vinegar, liquamen.

2. ALITER.

2. ANOTHER WAY.

Piper, careum, anethum, petroselinum, mentam siccam, silfi, folium, malabatrum, ispicam Indicam, costum modicum, mel, acetum, liquamen.

Pepper, caraway, dill, parsley, dried mint, silphium, bay leaf, malabathrum, Indian spikenard, a little costus, honey, vinegar, liquamen.

XVII. Oenogarum in tubera.

17. Oenogarum for truffles.

1. OENOGARUM IN TUBERA.

1. OENOGARUM FOR TRUFFLES.

Piper, ligusticum, coriandrum, rutam, liquamen, mel, vinum et oleum modice.

Pepper, lovage, coriander, rue, liquamen, honey, wine and oil, moderately.

2. ALITER.

2. OTHERWISE.

Timum, satureiam, piper, ligusticum, mel, vinum, liquamen et oleum.

Thyme, savory, pepper, ligusticum, honey, wine, liquamen, and oil.

XVIII. Oxyporium.

18. Oxyporium.

1. Cumini unc. II, zingiberis unc.I, rutae viridis unc.I, nitri scripulos VI, dactilorum pinguium scripulos XII, piperis unc.I, mellis unc.IX. Cuminum vel Ethiopicum aut Siriacum aut Libicum aceto infundes, sicca et sic tundes. Postea melle comprehendis.

1. of cumin oz. 2, of ginger oz. 1, of green rue oz. 1, of nitre scruples 6, of rich dates scruples 12, of pepper oz. 1, of honey oz. 9. You steep the cumin, whether Ethiopian or Syrian or Libyan, in vinegar; dry it and pound it thus. Afterwards you bind it together with honey.

Cum necesse fuerit, oxygaro uteris.

When it is necessary, you will use oxygarum.

XIX. Ypotrimma.

19. Hypotrimma.

1. Piper, ligusticum, mentam aridam, nucleos pineos, uvam passam, cariotam, caseum dulcem, mel, acetum, liquamen, oleum, vinum, defritum aut carenum.

1. pepper, ligusticum (lovage), dried mint, pine kernels, raisins, caryota date, sweet cheese, honey, vinegar, liquamen (fish-sauce), oil, wine, defrutum or caroenum.

XX. Oxygarum digestible.

20. Oxygarum digestible.

1. OXYGARUM DIGESTIBILEM.

1. DIGESTIBLE OXYGARUM.

Piperis semunciam, silis Gallici scripulos II, cardamomi scripulos VI, cumini scripulos VI, folii scripulum I, mentae siccae scripulos VI, tunsa cribrataque melle colligis. Cum opus fuerit, liquamen et acetum addis.

A half-ounce of pepper, 2 scruples of Gallic silphium, 6 scruples of cardamom, 6 scruples of cumin, 1 scruple of bay leaf, 6 scruples of dried mint; pounded and sifted, you bind with honey. When it is needed, you add liquamen and vinegar.

2. ALITER.

2. OTHERWISE.

Piperis unc.I, petroselini, carei, ligustici uncias singulas; melle colliguntur. Cum opus fuerit, liquamen et acetum addes.

Pepper 1 ounce, parsley, caraway, lovage 1 ounce each; they are bound with honey. When there is need, you will add fish sauce and vinegar.

XXI. Moretaria.

21. Mortar mixtures.

Mentam, rutam, coriandrum, feniculum, omnia viridia, ligusticum, piper, mel, liquamen. Si opus fuerit, acetum addes.

Mint, rue, coriander, fennel, all fresh, lovage, pepper, honey, liquamen. If need be, you will add vinegar.