OJCL Torch Winter 2023 | Page 16

Second Vice President Natalie Allen

ancient roman recipies

Globi

The temperatures have dropped to below freezing, snow has fallen (and melted), and we’ve been spending arguably too much time with our family lately. This can mean just one thing: it’s Winter! With it being Winter, I’m sure one holiday has been on your mind for weeks now. No, not Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule, or Kwanzaa. I’m talking about Saturnalia, of course! Everyone’s favorite ancient Roman Holiday which celebrates the god, Saturn, and the promise of the Spring harvest. It is celebrated by gift-giving, overturning Roman social norms, continual partying, and of course feasting. 

My personal way to celebrate holidays is with good food. While there is no specific dish associated with Saturnalia, do not fret! When I think of festive feasting, cheesecake comes to my mind. Deep-fried cheesecake. Dipped in honey. Thankfully, that is just the sort of recipe Cato the Elder gives us in “DeAgri Cultura”

Globi is the ancient Roman predecessor of cheesecake bites, dating back 2000 years. This recipe makes about 12-15 Globi. You can enjoy your Globi with a warm mug of hot chocolate by the fireplace while you exchange Saturnalia gifts with your friends and family! 

Ingredients 

To make Globi, you will need:

• 1 Cup of Ricotta cheese

• 1 Cup + 1 Tbsp of spelt flour

• 1 Quart of oil/melted fat*

• ⅓ Cup of honey

• Poppy seeds

Recipe

1. Mix your flour and cheese in a bowl and combine them into a dough. Portion out the dough into little balls that are about an inch across.

2. Pour oil into a pot and heat to about 350℉. The temperature can fluctuate about 20-30 degrees on either side but be careful not to gohigher than 400℉

3. Gently place a couple of Globi at a time into the oil and let them fry for between 60 and 90 seconds or until they are golden brown. Every 10-15 seconds, be sure to give them a little turn with tongs to make sure they are fried evenly all the way around

4. When golden brown, take them out of the oil and place them on a wire rack to drain over a paper towel. Repeat the process until all Globi have been fried

5. Heat honey for about 10 seconds in a microwave and then dip your Globi in honey

6. Sprinkle with poppy seeds and enjoy! 

*Cato is not specific as to what type of oil to use. They could have used lard or a lot of different oils including olive oil or safflower oil. Safflower is safer because it has a higher smoke point which gives you more leeway when it comes to heating the oil. Olive oil has a lower smoke point making it easier to mess up but is also a decent choice for flavor. 

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