Douglas and Ombretta offer a few tips on how to shop the Italian way. Plus, they recommend a few places you should look for in Italy.
- Shop at the local Farmer's Market to guarantee fresh, seasonal and organic produce.
- Ask for advice! Part of the joy of shopping with small vendors is that they really know their product. If you ask, you will be sure to get the most authentic and regional recipe.
- Buy fruits and vegetables when they are fresh and in season.
- Read the label. Italians really do read their labels to makes sure they know what's inside the food they're buying and why it's there. You won't find meat from hormone-fed cows, nor will you find genetically modified fruits or vegetables. Italians are highly skeptical of anything with preservatives too. They know that food that's fresh is better for you than something out of a can or a bag. It's just that simple.
- Look for the finest meat and dairy products. The organic meats and eggs we buy come from New Zealand and our fish seller is 45 minutes away by car. In all it takes 3-4 hours a week for grocery shopping. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so picky in the kitchen, but our friends don't seem to minDouglas: come dinnertime there's always somebody showing up at our table.
La Sala Piazza in Pistoia
Located in the center of old Pistoia in Tuscany, La Sala is famous for having both permanent stores and local farmers market type stands. It is open every day except Wednesday afternoon and Sunday. If you enjoy food, definitely visit a local market while you're in Italy
Lining the piazza are produce shops, butcher shops, sellers of cheese from mountain sheep (pecorino con latte crudo), fresh eggs (laid that day!), a shopkeeper who sells Mediterranean fish, a half-dozen bakers (including a few who bake bread in wood-burning ovens) and even a butcher who only sells horse meat.
Resources
Slow Food Website
The Slow Food movement started in Italy. This website is a great resource.
www.slowfood.com
La Sala Piazza
History of the famous piazza in Pistoia
www.comune.pistoia.it/conoscere/scoperta_04_eng.htm
Farmers Market Listings for the US
www.ams.usda.gov
Online Farmers Market
www.farmersmarketonline.com
for more information search keyword(s): farmers market
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