To Market We Go

"marché:" Market
"legumes:" vegetables
"le boucher:" butcher
"la viande:" meat
"une pastèque:" watermelon
"melon de l'eau" honeydew melon (literally "melon of water"...confusing!)

There is a great market in Clermont-Ferrand called marché St. Pierre. It is an indoor market, open everyday (excluding Sundays), but on Saturday mornings there is more stuff and people. The last couple of Saturdays Kate and I have gone to the market to buy some good, fresh foods for the following week's meals, plus it is fun to go to the market and see what there is to see.

  I have never seen such a colorful array of fruits and vegetables. I do not know what they do over here but this market houses the most beautiful produce--I have never seen such red tomatoes, bright peppers, or such lovely displays of fresh produce! Anyone heard of purple or orange cauliflower? Even if you are not buying anything, it is fun to just wander around. The first couple of times, we didn't really know how to do it, though. For the fruits and vegetables, there are 3 big "stands" run by different people. The first time we tried to buy something, we were not sure if we should pick it out, where to wait in line, where to pay, etc., so we just stood there for awhile. Amateurs. Now that we have done it a couple times, it's a little better. Typically, you just kind of stand around the area where what you need is, try to make eye contact with the vendor, and be ready to order everything you want. One time I said a "head of lettuce" and the lady thought I said four lettuces so she went to find a big bag to put them in and it was awkward because I really only wanted just one. whoops.

Then there are the meats. Oh, the meats. I am not and likely never will be a vegetarian, so I do not usually have a problem with raw meat. However, I think I am used to a nicer presentation of it, you know, all ready for me to just cook. In France, you know what you're getting because oftentimes, it's all there. For example, poultry. The chickens are plucked but often come with head-on, full beak and all. eeks! There are rabbits in full form (no head, phew!). There are also really big slabs ready to be sliced by the butchers of many different kinds of raw, cured, or ground meat. (saw horse yesterday! "cheval"). The market also has an array of fresh fish, but I do not usually peruse that section too much. Most of the fish come in full form also...with those eyes staring back at you...

The cheese is also present, but it does not stand alone. So many different kinds of cheeses! In this market there are three different cheese stands, filled with all sorts of cheeses. The best though, is the store right outside of the market that is solely dedicated to cheese. When you walk in there, your nose is in for a treat! Wow, that is a smelly place. The smellier the better!

This week's market take: tomatoes, red and white cabbage, yellow peaches, bananas, quetche (mini-plums), red pears, and pork chops.