An Obsession with Markets

Farmer’s Markets, the neighborhood grocery store or the fruit stand just down the street, all are havens for picking up a few delectable ingredients for a meal.   While living in Australia in the early 90’s I became obsessed with the different types of markets;   literally there was the butcher, the baker and well…the candlestick maker.  I found myself journeying to the fresh-air shops every Sunday afternoon in search of vegetables, fruits and assorted sundries for the coming week.

Wanneroo Markets teemed with activity, as well as delights that I had never seen.  Growing up in the lush Willamette Valley of Oregon, I was very familiar with sweet apples and warm, juicy peaches; however guavas, mangoes and passion fruit held an exotic allure.  After loading the basket with these treasures, I would venture to the next stall to inspect the warm, just out of the oven scones studded with red currants.  “I’ll take half a dozen, and a jar of clotted cream.”  Clotted cream was also a new discovery.  The lusciously thick cream, along with jam, is slathered on top of the scones.  And so the process would continue each week … something to be found.

Since that time, I have continued to indulge my food-passion.   Frequenting specialty food shops and ethnic grocers yields opportunities to tantalize the palate.  Recently, I stumbled upon a tiny shop with walls lined to the ceiling.  Tins of succulent albacore tuna, dried pasta in every shape and size, jars of amber-hued honey were a few of the items to be found.  They also had a handful of fresh vegetables and lovely spring flowers to round out the market.  I walked out with a jar of oil packed olives, lamb sausages and deep, dark chocolate.   My delectable ingredients…

I am still obsessed with markets and great food ~ Missy