WINE AND DINE IN ANCIENT GREECE - Part 3
My mouth puckered at the recent memory. Those grapes had been a bit too sour.
"Sheep and goat milk is used to make yogurt and cheese. What isn't used, is added to porridge or else we drink it."
"Would you care for a cup of milk? I believe I have some fresh."
"No, thanks, but I might have some cow milk if it's all the same to you."
Dionysus shook his head. "I'm sorry, my friend. Hellas has too few places to feed cattle. There's not enough rainfall so the grass doesn't grow as it should. Cows need a great deal of grass to eat, although there a few in Boeotia."
"What an interesting name," I said, wondering at how easily the name rolled off his tongue. He was a native Grecian after all.
"Ganymede burst out laughing. It took him a moment to calm down. "Boeotia means 'cowland' in our language.
I smiled. "Americans raise many cows for slaughter each year. Beef is important to our way of life."
Dionysus nodded. "Then your land supports them. I bet there are areas you wouldn't eat in this place you call America, isn't there?"
You and I both looked at him, puzzled by his statement.
"If you get a chance to travel to Sparta, be warned about the food. It's not exactly appetizing."
Ganymede snorted. "Don't even bother tasting that wicked black broth."
Your face turned sickly green this time. You might not have liked the sound of "black broth" but then neither did I.
"What is that made of?"
"If you want to live long, my friend, don't try it. It's despicable and made of pork stock, salt and vinegar. Spartan food is the worst food you'll ever find. I heard said that many won't eat but threaten to throw themselves in the river."
"It doesn't sound very appetizing," you manage to croak out.
"We have much better foods to try. There's stew and soup with bits of pork. Hmm, very tasty." He ran his tongue along his lower lip. "If you want a very tasty and satisfying meal, try alternating small chunks of pork on a skewer and alternating it with bits of vegetables and onions. Roast the whole over a fire and you'll love the results you come up with."
"Sounds like a shish-kebab to me," you said, "but it does sound delicious."
"The next time you come to visit us, my friend, I'll have my wife make it for you. You'll love
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