[Sca-cooks] Question about watermelon...

[Terry Decker]

Melons are of Old World origin and are definitely period.  Watermelons are 
of African origin while the others are probably from the Middle East or 
Levant.

To quote Platina, "Melons called pepones seem to differ from those called 
melopepones since the later are round and ribbed, the former oblong, like 
citron apples...."

And from Apicius, "long and round melons: <dressing:> pepper, 
pennyroyal,honey or passum, liquamen, and vinegar.  Sometimes asafoetida is 
added."

Obviously, known and eaten (at least around the Med) from Antiquity to the 
Renaissance.

Bear

> did i dream seeing it, or did i see a mention of watermelon being period 
> fruit on this list?  or just melon?  and what kind?
>
> cailte