Perhaps because it's more out of the way, smaller, and slightly less spectacular than the
Mercato Centrale, the
Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio is frequented mostly by genuine Florentines and their wannabe compatriots.
However, since it's only a 15-20 minute walk from the
Duomo, it can't really be considered off-the-beaten track, and certainly such a convenient yet relatively uncrowded market deserves a gastronomic visit...
Read the rest of: "Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio"»
In Canada and the US, going to the market is an event for special occasions, an outing, a break from the supermarket – in other words, an exception. In Italy (and I imagine most other places in the world that filter life less) the market is still special, but for different reasons. Fresh food and eating well are integral to daily life; it is a given that gastronomy begins at the stalls. Granted, the market is a few steps removed from the watering and harvesting, feeding and slaughtering that produces even the average dish, but it is still a better point of departure for truly understanding cuisine than the supermarket.
The flavours for this venture are those of
Florence, Italy – that famous Tuscan cooking! If you can go armed with some knowledge or at least a culinary guidebook, you'll be able to spot some of the most savoury and intriguing ingredients, which will aid you in your menu choices later on...
Read the rest of: "Gastronomy Through the Backdoor: The Markets of Florence"»
