Ancient Romans often snacked on cheap fried starlings at fast food restaurants - Photo: AFP via Getty
Ancient Romans often snacked on cheap fried nightingales from roadside fast food joints, according to an archaeological team analyzing an ancient trash pit in Spain, the Independent reported.
Fast food restaurant serving fried nightingale
These eateries, called popinae and tabernae , often served fried nightingale, which was once considered a luxury, according to research published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology .
Researchers analyzed animal bones found in a latrine pit in the ancient city of Pollentia, dating from the 1st century BC to the 1st century AD.
During this period, Pollentia rapidly developed into a vibrant port with a central square, temples, cemeteries and many streetside eateries called popinae selling snacks and wine.
The excavated trash pit, located in a commercial area connected to a plaza and a chain of food stores via an underground sewer system, contained bones of mammals, fish, reptiles and birds – with nightingale bones being the most common, according to archaeologists.
Sophisticated processing
They discovered 165 nightingale bones, which challenged the long-held notion that this songbird was consumed only by the wealthy. "Ancient texts often describe nightingales as a delicacy served at luxurious banquets, elaborately prepared," the team said.
Several ancient documents, including those of the writer and naturalist Pliny the Elder, describe the practice of fattening nightingales with figs before roasting them in various sauces. The new findings provide new insights into how the small birds were prepared and consumed.
The team found evidence that the bird’s breastbone was often removed and flattened before deep-frying in fast food restaurants, while the bird carcasses found in older homes were often more intact.
"Removing the breastbone and pressing it flat shortens the cooking time while maintaining the juiciness of the meat, which is very suitable for quick service in restaurants," the scientists analyzed. "Considering the Roman culinary habit of frying small birds in oil instead of grilling, it is possible that in Pollentia, nightingales were also pan-fried as described in ancient recipes."
The new evidence suggests that Roman food shops may have adopted standardized cooking procedures to optimize serving. “This finding suggests that nightingales were a common dish in urban Rome, contrary to the long-held belief that they were a food reserved for the aristocracy,” the team concluded.
"In addition, the seasonal sale of nightingales also shows that ancient shops took advantage of the migratory cycles of birds to increase diversity and economic stability."
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nguoi-co-dai-da-co-quan-thuc-an-nhanh-phuc-vu-mon-gi-ma-co-ca-xuong-chim-hoa-mi-20250618102448712.htm
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