103. "And They Sighed for the Cucumbers"

"And They Sighed for the Cucumbers"

(Numbers 11:5) The Israelies, when in the wilderness, "sighed for the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic, which they had eaten in Egypt." On the monuments in Egypt you find vegetables presented to the gods, especially leeks and onions, which were tied up in fancy shapes. Among the gifts of Rameses III to his gods, are "onions, 180 ropes, 50 sacks," with two other measures unknown. In Herodotus we read that the’ cost of radishes, onions, and garlic, for the workmen engaged upon one of the pyramids of Cheops, was 1600 silver talents.

Sometimes the food of the natives consists only of stewed vegetables, such as onions, lettuce, cucumbers, with parched corn. These onions are not like ours at all, but are exceedingly mild and delicious, said to be superior to any in the world. They are not covered with skins, but every part of them is soft and digestible. Lentils are also much eaten; melons, gourds, beans, pulse, lupines, cucumbers and dates as well.