Almonds, dolce, Sicily, il mandorlo, Troy and legend of Phyllis and Acamas

Anyone who's been to the Mediterranean, and especially Sicily, knows the importance of almonds.  They were important in the Middle Ages, when almond paste was a main ingredient in dolce especially those called pasta reale and when almond milk was practically a staple in the kitchen.  Then, as now, almond milk didn't need to be refrigerated and in a hot climate, that was important.


My wonderful Sicilian friends, Bruno and Lucia, sent me a book for Christmas called Sweet Sicily by Alessandre Damone.  As you might imagine, it's all about desserts.  Yummmmmmy.  And not just recipes - given in Italian AND English - but also the history of it.  As an historian, what could be better?


So here's the history of the almond - the Thracian princess Phyllis fell in love with Acamas, a son of Theseus.  Men being men, Acamas just had to go to Troy and fight.  When Phyllis didn't see her love return, she died of a broken heart.  But he did return, finding his love dead.  Athena, that goddess who loves these kinds of situations, took pity on Phyllis.  You'd think she'd bring her back to life, but she didn't, instead she turned her into an almond tree and every year when Acamas embraced her, she blossomed, giving us the delicious nut we all know and love.


Personally, I think she could have done more, but who's complaining?  And so I would advise you, if you're going to Sicily and indulging in dolce, or perusing this book, check out the biscotti di mandorla which I can tell you from experience - tastes like heaven.

Apocalyptic stories, TV, times of chaos and reorganization - 13th century?

It occurs to me, ruminating as I'm watching some of the streaming that my husband likes to view, how many apocalyptic, make order out of chaos, reorganize society, Hunger Games, type of shows there are on now. Trendy YA literature copies Hunger Game themes, while more interesting ones like Chuck Wendig depict the future in yet another impressively different way in his Heartland Trilogy. The Vespers Trilogy depicts a real time and place where the reorganization of society is attempted yet again - politics, conquest, greed, all the usual components are in place. See, some things never change...

Brian Catlos, Sicily, the Mediterranean and other medieval thoughts

So OK, I've been so preoccupied lately with planning my trip to Sicily (and Budapest and Iceland) next year that I've been neglecting my blog. So my friend Josh Birk recommended an author to me, just to keep me in the loop of present-day Mediterranean scholarship. That author would be Brian A. Catlos and I've already begun his book, Infidel Kings and Unholy Warriors, Faith, Power and Violence in the Age of Crusade and Jihad. For all you eggheads out there who are academically drawn to the Mediterranean, get this book. He has a new take on old scholarship and it's clear and well-reasoned. Look up his other stuff too. And if you're out in southern California around November 7 and 8, go see him in person at the UC-Irvine Mediterranean conference. So I'm trying to decide whether to stay around Mazara or Erice because I want to see the Greek temples at Agrigento. Isn't it fascinating that the best Greek ruins are in Sicily and southern Italy (Paestum - heaven on earth -yes, go see Paestum south of Salerno). And in Trapani I plan to visit the medieval salt museum as well as the salt pans since I write about them in our vespers trilogy. Last but not least, before visiting Budapest and soaking my bod in the hot springs of Iceland (Blue Lagoon, here I come!)we'll be traveling around Cefalu and Corleone (remember the Godfather? Although that's not why I'm going -there's actually a medieval connection there). Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions - feel free to comment!

Malice Stalks the Leopard

And of course, the Vespers Trilogy continues in Book #2 - Malice Stalks the Leopard, when our tavern owners again become embroiled in a political secret affecting Palermo, Sicily, and a Mediterranean dynasty. 

A Mediterranean diet - 13th century tavern food and munchies - did they get their veggies and greens?

Many people have this vision of a big, Henry VIII-type person gnawing on some roasted animal leg and flinging it behind him.  And that's their idea of medieval food.  Actually, he's almost 300 years later and if you want to think medieval Sicily - think something very familiar - Mediterranean! 

Murder at the Leopard talks about a lot of the food Ysabella and Larissa prepare - but the characters are always snacking on - guess what - olives, cheese, bread, fruit.  But also salads were very popular, with all the usual veggies - radishes, cukes, melons and squash, fruits of all kinds, lemons, oranges and lines, lettuces, onions, garlic, apricots, almonds, pomegranates figs, pears, apples and prunes.  Grapes of course both for themselves and for wine!  Nuts, legumes - the list is endless.