Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Bulbs of Passion

They don't look all that exciting, do they? But, little did you know that these somewhat bitter "lampasciuoli" (no known translation) are a historically famous and powerful aphrodisiac! May I quote the Latin poet Marziale (I sec. d.C.) who said, "if your wife is old, your member is dead, nothing but these bulbs will satisfy you..." Or the learned Greek philosopher Ateneo (II – III sec. d.C.) who claimed, "lobsters, bulbs, snails...if anyone can find stronger medicine that these..." During the Middle Ages they were a cheap source of food. They are now cultivated primarily in the Puglia region, though they still grow wild throughout the eastern Mediterranean. They are said to have diuretic qualities and are eaten raw, boiled, grilled, fried, or preserved in oil. Here's a recipe...try them, you never know!

The lampasciouli were for sale at the same little shop as yesterday's snails. Here's a shot of the shop's interior. The chair in the foreground is where the grandmother sits, but she ran away saying, "no, no, I'll ruin the photo!" Too bad...

7 comments:

USelaine said...

Ah-hah! So we have seen the snails and bulbs - tomorrow the lobsters? This is sounding more and more like a sex shop, of sorts. ;^)

mouse (aka kimy) said...

enjoyed the visit....and thanks for visiting lakewood and your comment! I look forward to coming back for plenty of nibbles!

also like your 'amid the olive trees'!

Saretta said...

Elaine, you kill me! You are so funny! I'll have to ask the old grandma what else she's got in the back of the shop! LOL!

Mouse - thanks for scampering by! Hope to see you here again soon!

Knoxville Girl said...

I guess compared to an old wife and a dead member, these bulbs might seem less bitter.

Ann said...

Think I'd prefer lobster.

Jane Hards Photography said...

What a wonderful saying. People can be funny about being photographed. Dead member. Hilarious.

Saretta said...

If you have a good sense of humor about these things, check out the video on my other blog for Thursday, August 28...
http://amid-the-olive-trees.blogspot.com