Cook Like An Ancient Roman
Taught by Andrew Coletti
ndrew Coletti is a staff writer for Atlas Obscura whose work has also appeared on Tasting Table and in Eaten magazine. He holds degrees in Classics and Museum Education, and has cooked recipes from around the world and throughout time for TikTok and Instagram at @PassTheFlamingo (because the Romans ate flamingos). His favorite Roman author is the poet Martial.
Location: Prospect Heights Brainery (190 Underhill Ave in Prospect Heights, BK)
Have you ever wanted to sample the food of the Roman Empire?
Today, the Romans are often associated with culinary extravagance, like the excess of the vomitorium (a myth) or exotic banquets of dormice and flamingo (true). While wealthy, elite Romans did indulge in some extreme delicacies, the food of everyday Romans was really not so different from things we still eat today.
In fact, some Ancient Roman food was downright delicious (despite the lack of certain ingredients, such as tomatoes) and relatively simple to recreate. In this class, we'll make and enjoy two Roman dishes (one savory, one sweet) and a non-alcoholic beverage using recipes based on Latin primary sources. We'll also get a crash-course in the staples of the Roman pantry, and learn about the fascinating food culture of the ancient rulers of the Mediterranean.
