Gourds, Alexandrian Style

Ingredients

• gourds
• salt
• pepper
• cumin
• coriander seed
• fresh mint
• silphium root (laser)
• vinegar
• caryota date
• pine nuts
• honey
• liquamen (fermented fish sauce)
• defrutum (reduced grape must)
• oil

Instructions

1. Press boiled gourds, salt them, arrange in a pan.
2. Grind pepper, cumin, coriander seed, fresh mint and silphium root; add vinegar.
3. Add date and pine nuts; grind.
4. Temper with honey, vinegar, liquamen, defrutum and oil; pour over the gourds.
5. Boil, sprinkle with pepper, and serve.