You said, "O Moses, we will not be patient to one type of food, so call for us your Lord that He may bring forth what the earth grows of its beans, cucumbers, garlic, lentils, and onions." He said, "Would you trade what is lowly with what is good?" Descend to Egypt, you will have in it what you have asked for. They were thus stricken with humiliation and disgrace, and they remained under God's wrath for they were not appreciating God's signs, and killing the prophets with no justification. This is for what they have disobeyed and transgressed.
Translation endnotes
[2:61] After attaining their freedom in Sinai, the Children of Israel started missing the variety of food they were fed by their Egyptian masters. This verse emphasizes the importance of liberty and our lack of appreciation of it when we have it. The book of Exodus in the Old Testament is dedicated to the historic emigration of the Children of Israel that led them to freedom. Compare this verse to the Old Testament, Numbers 11:4-5. For the quail, see Numbers 11:31-33. A verse in the New Testament is profound in relating freedom to intellect and reality: "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Also, See Isaiah 61:1; Isaiah 42:6-7.