Monday Market in San Casciano- Chianti
My market mantra came from my Mother-in-law, Tina,
“Spend more time shopping and less time cooking.”
I have learned that it is not the recipe that you cook nor the time you spend preparing food which makes it taste good. It is the quality of the ingredients which you work with.
In Italy, they say la materia prima. It is what the Slow Food movement is all about, really.
Getting food from as nearby as possible and from quality producers. Eating foods in season.
For years, people have been talking about the eating local- trying to buy foods produced within 30 km of where you live. Yes, that does limit your diet. I do not stick to that exclusivly, but by changing how we shop, we can also effect the planet and the quality of the air we breathe.
It is not easy in the hectic world we have created- but taking the time for ourselves is probably the best gift you can pass on to future generations.
Read Michael Pollan and Michael Ruhlman
Learn to cook- but also learn to shop!
Really put your money where your mouth is.
For so long people have reached out for cheap food- and we get what we pay for and I believe spend the difference in medicine to treat illnesses brought on by eating inferior foods.
Invest in yourself, you deserve the best!
I also find that when I buy better more flavorful foods, including simple pantry basics like good first pressed olive oil and natural sea salts, I use less as they have tons for flavor!
I am constantly inspired by the market and always collecting new recipe shared with my by the people that produce the food I am buying. They want me to be happy so always are generous with their ideas and how to showcase what they make. Often I share my versions with them.
This is how my Italian got to be so good.
One of my favorite tricks at the market, is to return to a vendor I like and when there are some other clients around, to mention loudly about how I adored the recipe they gave me or how good the last product I bought was. It created curiousity and usually I get more recipes from how someone else would prepare it.
It is material for another book!!!
I will soon share it with you too!
Oh my!!! My market shopping today looked no where near as bountiful and beautiful as your markets. Nevertheless….I LOVE shopping local, shopping fresh and so I go off with my basket on Saturday mornings…grin. But I live in Canada….not toooo much at this time of the year. Luckily for me I live on the West Coast where imports abound!
Love the blog Judy!
Looking for a tasty new italian dish? Check out the Layered Italian Casserole from Contadina – http://www.contadina.com/recipes/layered-italian-casserole.
This message is being posted on behalf of Contadina and we hope that it is of interest for you.
I totally agree with you. There is always a price to pay eventually for cheap, inferior food – either socially or with our health. Ever notice that many people give more thought to the type of fuel they put into their cars than what they put into their own bodies.
i love this post because it reminds me of my memories in the florence markets, summer in washigton and the hope that winter will end. thanks for the inspiration
Loved visiting your blog! The photos are wonderful and that is why I have nominated you to receive a “Sunshine Blog Award.” Thanks for sharing your awesome talents.
Thanks!!