0026

Their Seething of Their Meate in Earthen Pots

Their women know how to make earthen vessels with special cunning and so large and fine that our potters with their wheels can make no better: and they remove them from place to place as easily as we can do our brassen kettles. After they have set them upon an heap of earth to stay them from falling, they put wood under, which being kindled, one of them taketh great care that the fire burn evenly round about. They or their women fill the vessel with water, and then put there fruit, flesh, and fish, and let all boil together like a galliemaufrye, which the Spaniards call podrida. Then they put it out into dishes, and set it before the company, and then they make great cheer together. Yet they are moderate in their eating whereby they avoid sickness. I would suggest we would follow their example. For we should be free from many kinds of diseases which we come unto by sumptuous and unseasonable banquets, continually devising new sauces, and provocating gluttony to satisfy our unsatiable appetite.

Monday, 15-May-95 14:17:42 PDT