This authentic Roman dessert, Aliter Dulcia, offers a fascinating glimpse into antiquity’s palate. It is a dense, savory-sweet pudding made from a blend of coarsely ground nuts and pine kernels, bound with eggs and milk. The flavor profile is complex and unexpected: the sweetness of passum (raisin must) and honey is balanced by the bitter, aromatic notes of fresh rue and the sharp heat of black pepper. The texture is hearty and crumbly, similar to a sticky toffee pudding but with a distinct herbal edge. It is a perfect dish for historical reenactments or adventurous foodies seeking to explore ancient culinary traditions. Serve it warm, drizzled with extra honey, for a truly unique and memorable eating experience that bridges the gap between sweet and savory.
ALITER DULCIA (Another Kind of Dessert)
Description
This authentic Roman dessert, Aliter Dulcia, offers a fascinating glimpse into antiquity's palate. It is a dense, savory-sweet pudding made from a blend of coarsely ground nuts and pine kernels, bound with eggs and milk. The flavor profile is complex and unexpected: the sweetness of passum (raisin must) and honey is balanced by the bitter, aromatic notes of fresh rue and the sharp heat of black pepper. The texture is hearty and crumbly, similar to a sticky toffee pudding but with a distinct herbal edge. It is a perfect dish for historical reenactments or adventurous foodies seeking to explore ancient culinary traditions. Serve it warm, drizzled with extra honey, for a truly unique and memorable eating experience that bridges the gap between sweet and savory.Ingredients
Directions
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Coarsely grind 250g of nuts and 100g of stone-pine kernels.
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In a bowl, mix the ground nuts and pine kernels with 50ml of passum (raisin must), 50ml of milk, 2 beaten eggs, 1 tsp of minced rue, and a small amount of ground pepper.
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Combine the mixture thoroughly to form a dough or batter.
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Boil the mixture until it sets and thickens into a pudding-like consistency.
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Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
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Serve topped with a drizzle of honey and a light sprinkle of ground pepper.
Note
Passum is a sweet wine made from raisins, similar to modern-day passito or straw wine. It can be substituted with high-quality raisin concentrate or a sweet red wine reduction.
Rue has a very strong, bitter, and aromatic flavor. Use fresh if possible, and be cautious with the quantity as it can overpower the dish.
This recipe is based on Apicius, Book 7, Recipe 13. Historical recipes often lack precise measurements; adjust sweetness and liquid content to taste.
The combination of sweet honey and spicy pepper was common in ancient Roman cuisine, creating a complex flavor profile.
