16 March, 2009

My World Part II Mercato Centrale in Florence Italy

Welcome back everyone. As promised here is a more detailed look inside the San Lorenzo Mercato Centrale in Florence, Italy which I visited a little over three weeks ago. This is my entry for MY WORLD today. I do hope you enjoy.

The fruits and vegetables are absolutely wonderful. I purchased apples and oranges while in Florence and they were delicious. All the items are grown in the region.
The meat and poultry selections were first rate. I was amazed at the chicken(s) with their combs still in tact(top right photo). Both male and female chickens have combs. Combs of different breeds may look different in shape and even in color. While most combs are red, some breeds have purple combs. The combs are not just for looks. They actually have a very important role for chicken because they cool the chicken down; blood circulates between the comb and the wattles.

There was an amazing variety of fish of all kinds including shell fish. My Uncle is a fresh fish affectionado and introduced me to different local dishes when I was in Rome.

Check out the beef and sausages.

More meat selections including rabbit, sausage, beef ribs and chicken.
And, here's some shrimp and octopus. One of the favorite dishes of some Italians is pasta with squid ink. My Uncle orders that dish at his favorite seafood restaurant in Rome.

Check out the dried kiwi, oranges and pineapples... an absolutely amazing variety of dried fruits of every kind imaginable.

and, fresh gnocchi, pasta of all kinds and rolls.

Look at these deli shops filled to the brim with hams, cheeses and wines from all over Italy. They will even make you sandwiches to order of your choice and prepare baskets to your specifications for your adventures into the countryside.
Of course there is no shortage of Italian candies and sweets and pastries. Very tempting and very hard to pass these goodies up. I usually purchase an assortment for tea-time.
I so hope you enjoyed our trip to the Mercato. Next week we will move on to another area in Florence.
Be sure to take a peek at my other blog The Good Life in Virginia as I have posted about another favorite spot of mine in Florence.
For more My World adventures from e-friends all over the world, please click here: MY WORLD

16 comments:

Trish ~ ♥ ~ said...

So nobody is going to be hungry! :-)

Sylvia K said...

Oh, I love markets and I'm sure I would go nuts in this one! I loved the ones that I saw or visited in Europe when I lived there. Fortunately, we have a grand and glorious one here in Seattle!! Thanks for the beautiful photos! Enjoy your week!

Jane Hards Photography said...

I am sooooooo envious of all this fresh food. Such choice.

Anonymous said...

I see they have nice selection of goodies.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful market you have there...alot to choose from.

Arija said...

You make my mouth water! I think I would buy much too much at such a wonderful place. Great post.

MedaM said...

It really is a very rich and diverse offer on that market. Everyone can find something for themselves according to a personal’s taste. It is obvious that you really enjoyed walking around there, sightseeing, shopping and eating!:-) Beautiful post!

Latane Barton said...

Wish the US would have all those wonderful markets. New York has them but I haven't seen them anywhere else. I know you enjoyed your visit to Italy.

Janie said...

What a colorful and well-stocked market. They must eat very well in Italy, just as we've always heard.

Carver said...

What a wonderful market and so well photographed.

antigoni said...

The prices are almost the same with ours. Italy is a bit more expensive. I think you enjoyed your trip and the food is an important reason to have good time.

Susie of Arabia said...

Wow, Erin - fantastico! It must have been fun grocery shopping there! What about the prices? I just did a post about food prices here - it would be interesting to compare.

Gaelyn said...

Open markets are so fun. All that food makes me very hungry.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Wow! Ao many colorul and delicious items to choose from. How do you choose??
My eyes lingered over the dried fruits as they are my facorite for a snack. I've never seen dried kiwis though. Amazing!

I'm daydreaming of a picnic on the countryside filled with all sorts of scrumptious goodies from that market.

Thank you so much for sharing these pictures :)

~Lisa

Baruch said...

Well, all of these photos have just left me hungry!

DeniseinVA said...

Fantastic displays. Loved all your photographs and I never knew that about the chicken's wattle. Figured Mother Nature had to have a reason for that one ;)