Saturday, 8 October 2016

Hospitality To Odysseus

We have not had any food for a while. When Odikweos/Odysseus visits Isketerol of Tartessos:

an Egyptian-made ebony table inlaid with ivory and faience;
tunny baked with goat-cheese;
squid fried with garlic and olive oil;
chickens on spits;
roast potatoes;
tomatoes;
avocadoes;
fresh bread;
wine;
chocolate cake;
scents of perfumed resin and jasmine;
cool evening air.

SM Stirling, On The Oceans Of Eternity (New York, 2000), Chapter Four, p. 70.

Addendum: Evidence of trans-Atlantic trade. See Comments.

6 comments:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

And of course Isketerol learned about avocadoes, potatoes, tomatoes, and chocolate from the Nantucketers. Here we see a feast worthy of Nicholas van Rijn!

Sean

Paul Shackley said...

Sean,
Yes. I was about to add an Addendum to the effect that this menu results from trans-Atlantic trade.
Paul.

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

I should have thought of that expression as well. That these new foods were introduced to Europe by the new trans-Atlantic trade springing up after Nantucket "appeared."

Sean

David Birr said...

*Ahem* Curse you, Paul, for putting that picture of chocolate cake here! I'm ALREADY having trouble trying to diet!

Paul Shackley said...

David,
I am wild about the roast potatoes as well.
Paul.

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, David!

Ha! I sympathize! I've been trying to lose weight too! (Smiles)

Sean