I love me a good food market. The food markets of Europe can't really compare to anything where I live. Sure, we have farmers markets in the summer here, but not on the scale that Italy and France do. I have fond memories of the Marche d'Aligre in Paris. And who could forget the Jean-Talon Market in Montreal?
Campo dei Fiori in Rome is yet another one not to be missed.
First, there is the location. Beautiful square. Surrounded by caffés and trattorias. Right in the heart of Rome. And a lovely statue presiding over the market.
Flowers at the first booth as you round the corner are spread out like natures rainbow.
And the food. Oh the food. This is Italian foodie heaven.
Ruby-red ciliege, cherries just waiting to become a crostata.
Carciofini, little artichokes, so purple they look bruised.
Piselli, peas, from the Lazio region. I love how they tell you that on the sign.
Willow laundry baskets full of fresh salad greens. The peppery arugula, rucola in Italian, perfumed the whole area.
And speaking of perfume- the herbs were incredible! Basil so fragrant I could just taste the pesto!
Sun-dried tomatoes. From Tunisia. Everything here looks bigger, fresher.
I even saw things I have never seen before. Check out these fagioli, beans. I have a scarf that color.
Or this agretti, which looks like an herb, but is more of a vegetable. Looks kinda like chives, though since I haven't had the pleasure of sampling it, I couldn't begin to tell you what it tastes like.
And there isn't just fruit and veggies here. No, no- there is a little bit of everything. Every spice known to man.
Porcini. Ohhhh Porcini. How I love thee.
Plenty of balsamic vinegars to sample.
And I think you'd be able to spot the fresh fish booth, from almost anywhere in the market, don't you?
What's your favorite market- Italian or otherwise? What is the strangest thing you have ever seen or bought at the market?