[Sca-cooks] Littiu Source
Johnna Holloway
johnna at sitka.engin.umich.edu
Fri Aug 10 16:39:05 PDT 2007
Back in January of this year, we had some discussions on the list
regarding porridges and grain cereals. At the time Ranvaig posted some
material on “littiu” which was served in Ireland. I have come across a
really good paper on the topic and thought I should mention it.
It’s by Regina Sexton. It’s titled “Porridges, Gruels and Breads: The
Cereal Foodstuffs of Early Medieval Ireland.” It appears as Chapter 9 in
Early Medieval Munster. Archaeology, History and Society. Edited by
Michael A. Monk and John Sheehan. Cork University Press, 1998. pages 76-86.
Sexton says that “Littiu is, described in the legal text Cain Iarraith
as porridge made variously with oaten, barley or wheaten meal combined
with water, buttermilk or new milk. (CIH 1759.36-1760.2) In the comic
tale Aislinge meic Conglinne the same dish is made with sheep’s milk. …
The accompanying condiments for littiu include heavily salted preserved
butter (gruiten), fresh butter (imb) and honey (mil). (CIH
1759.36-1760.2) “ page 76.
CIH is the Corpus Iuris Hibernici, edited by D.A. Binchy. 6 volumes
published in Dublin in 1978.
Hope this helps
Johnnae
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