Il Mercato-Parte Due (The Market)

Back to the mercato. My first post featured just the fruits and vegetables. I saved the best for this post. The cheeses and the cured meats.

I may have gone a little crazy at this counter ordering soft cheeses. Teresa was yelling at me that we already had the same cheese at home. You can never have too much cheese.Especially in Italy!;)





A passionate discussion as I turned the corner. I see the ladies every week at the market and they know Teresa. Well, everyone knows Teresa. I get introduced as. “La mia nuora Lory.” She calls me Lory and I don’t mind.

A passionate discussion as I turned the corner. I see the ladies every week at the market and they know Teresa. Well, everyone knows Teresa. I get introduced as. “La mia nuora Lory.” She calls me Lory and I don’t mind.

I inhale annoying cigarette smoke as I turn the next corner where the clothes are. I have to go by the cheese section one more time. Teresa lost me when she went looking for the linen guy. I told her to meet me in the cheese section.

Then there was this animated man holding the largest knife I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t tell if he was happy or really angry. They were discussing taxes and why they barely make any money at the market. All the fault of the taxes and the customers that get them in trouble for not keeping their receipts.

Then he slammed his knife in the cutting board right before telling me the amount of penalties he paid in euros last year. I took my last photo and scooted over somewhere more friendly.

This is the counter where I find canned sardines from Sicily. I know. Not everyone’s favorites. But these sardines are different. They are amazing.

Some prosciutto crudo.The man with the hat is named Marco. When my sister-in-law told him I was from Florida he asked my sister-in-law, “Che cazzo ci fa qua?” A vulgar way of asking her what is she doing in Italy and why isn’t she in Florida? He has been to Boston and Miami. He was telling us about an Italian restaurant he ate at in Miami that was delicious. He said he wants to move to Key Largo and marry a woman from Florida.

He invited the kids to sample cheeses with him. He gave them chunk after chunk of ParmigianoReggiano and Grana Padano to taste. I bought my cheeses and told him I will see him next summer. He smiled and told me, “Ciao bellissima bionda! I will marry you in my next lifetime!”

The fresh pasta guy who thinks I’m a reporter.

And some more cheese. Beautiful cheese. I’m trying to figure out how to take that whole table back with me to the States. Enjoy the deliciousness from Italy. ciao:)xo