Cultural Tidbits from the Mercado

I said I was going to post more pics of Penni and Kevin's trip but . . . I'm just going to direct you to her blog instead. Now onto an interesting topic: buying your produce and meat, fresh!!

Spanish cities all over the country have fresh food markest. Some are indoors, some are open air markets. Mine is located just a few blocks away from our apartment so 1 day each week, I grab my shopping cart (a cloth thing on wheels that I pull behind me) and head up the street. I go to the same vendors each week so it's fun to build a relationship with each person over the course of time. Markets like these are in decline however as Spain has welcomed in the "Sams Club" era, as I call it. Supermarket chains have become very popular and thus the men who work in these fresh food markets say that their day is coming soon. The guy from whom I buy ham and cheese thinks that within the next 10 years, markets like the one I go to will be extinct. So sad! But for now, let me tell you about one of my favorite days of the week!


This is where I buy all of my veggies and fruit. Let me tell you, the strawberries and clementines I found this year have been AMAZING. At this booth, I tell the man how much I want of each thing. Usually I tell him how many kilos I need, but sometimes I just tell him numbers. (Like, "Give me 4 carrots, please.) The produce here is much more fresh than at the super market, and it's cheaper as well. Oh and 1 kilo=2.2 pounds. For a funny story on doing that conversion wrong, click here.


This guy cracks me up. He has been especially helpful with teaching me Spanish as he's the one who taught me that I should say "Give me ______" instead of "I would like________." At first it felt so demanding and rude, but it's what they say so I guess it's not! This is where I buy my cheddar cheese and ham. Who knew cheddar cheese was such an American thing! I couldn't find it for a long time in the super market, and when I did, it was VERY expensive. Here I can get it in bulk, at a cheaper price. It's still much more expensive than in the states, but I've become good at rationing my precious cheddar. Renae also LOVES the ham from this guy. Loves it.


And this is my favorite place. He's my "chicken" guy. He sells all chicken products, as well as skinned rabbits. Gross. And actually, I can get turkey from him when I need it (like on Thanksgiving.) Every Tuesday he gives a dozen eggs for each kilo of chicken breasts that you buy. I buy a kilo each week and it will last us the whole week. It's interesting to note that he slices about 3 full size chicken breasts up VERY VERY thin. I think because they are so thin, we actually eat less chickcn per meal then if we were in the states buying a frozen bag of chicken breasts from Sams. I love going to the market. I get to talk with 3 really nice guys who have greatly helped me with my Spanish. I made sure I gave them all a bunch of Christmas cookies at Christmas time. There is no better way to make friends then through food.

Ok, a few pics from Penni and Kevin's trip . . .



One tired little girl!



So sweet.