Book 7
42
However, this is enough about cooks. But we must say something about the conger. For Archestratus, in his Gastronomy, tells us how every part of it should be treated, saying— In Sicyon my friend you best can get A mighty head of conger, fat, and strong, And large; and also take his entrails whole, Then boil him a long time, well-soak'd in brine. And after this he goes through the whole country of Italy, saying where the congers are best, describing them like a regular writer of an Itinerary, and he says— There too fine congers may be caught, and they Are to all other fish as far superior As a fat tunny is to coracini. And Alexis, in his Seven against Thebes, says— And all the parts of a fine conger eel Well hash'd together, overlaid with fat.
42
And Archedicus, in his Treasure, introduces a cook speaking of some fish which he has been buying in the following terms— Then for three drachmas I agrayling bought. Five more I gave for a large conger's head And shoulders. (Oh, how hard a thing is life!) Another drachma for the neck. I swear By Phoebus, if I knew where I could get Or buy another neck myself, at once I'd choke the one which now is on my shoulders, Rather than bring these dishes to this place. For no one ever had a harder job To buy so many things at such a price; And yet if I have bought a thing worth buying May I be hang'd. They will devour me. What I now say is what concerns myself. And then, such wine they spit out on the ground! Alas! Alas!
