My market, San Lorenzo,also known as the Mercato Centrale, Central Market
Upstairs, there are several vegetable purveyors that have some fabulous mushrooms in season, Porcini being the local specialty.
(This is no longer the upstairs, it was restored and revamped in 2014)
There are one or two fish mongers that have their own boats, Mom’s husband has been selling fish for over 200 years, and her family has made ceramics for the same time.
Massimo Mannetti’s family has been in the market almost since it opened in the 1860’s and his family now has 5 stands, one for each of the men in the family carrying on the tradition.
No wonder he loves his pork!
Manuele is also a third generation market boy! His grandfather began by going to Arezzo with a cart to buy chicken, rabbit and pidgeons, selling them on the way back home , arrving back on Saturday, taking Sunday off to start again on Monday.
I am one of the luckiest people in the world!
I live in front of the Central Market in Florence.
the secret to fabulous food, is cooking with the best ingredients you can find, in season, and building up a relationship with the purveyors!
When I take my students through the market we stop by the chicken sisters, my chicken boy, the fishy guy, the bread lady.. all of course have names…but jokingly refered to byme, by their profession!
Here is the market and some of my family!
I am known as the Americana…pronounced Amerihana,.. the “C” in Florentine dialect becoming an “H” as in Hoca Hola… Coca Cola..
Next time you come to Florence, order your Coke like that and you will get a laugh!
How can you not make good food when the people that sell it to you are also passionate and professional!
Mille Grazie Tutti!
Judy: What a fun post… It was almost as much fun as being at the market with you in person!
I sort of go through withdrawl when I am not at the market!
And as in France, so many of the stands close in August, that I am also not teaching in August.
Forced vacation!
“Market Babe”, I heard that was your handle, or was that a grateful whistle from the merchants? What fab photos, Judy, I want to hang with you and your friends and kiss that guy holding that little porker. grazie!