From Chris Young
Sheffield
All sorts of flower bulbs were part of the regular diet of the ancient Romans
(Letters, 15 March, p 51, and Feedback, same issue). They seem to have been
particularly partial to gladiolus and asphodel, which they baked in the ashes of
a fire, as we would cook onions at a barbecue. We owe this information to the
elder Pliny, who was also probably the nearest thing to a scientist the Romans
produced.
The second century cookery book attributed to Apicius offers several recipes
for bulbs boiled or fried and dressed in various ways, or used in casseroles or
stuffings. According to Varro, they were highly regarded as an aphrodisiac and
featured regularly at wedding banquets.
