Small is Beautiful

Local produce at it's best

It is not always the big weekly markets in Provence that are the most authentic. As much as I love our big Provençal Tuesday morning market in Vaison (an American travel guide calls it “one of France's best”), I try to never miss the farmer's market on Saturday mornings on the parking by the post office. There are not more than about 12 or so stalls there, but starting from farm fresh eggs and poultry, fruits and vegetables, hand picked herbal teas, olives and olive oil to seedlings for my kitchen garden and goat's cheese, this is where I get all the essentials and a lot of inspiration on what to cook that weekend. Guess what we had last Saturday? The first local asparagus and strawberries for dessert - heaven!

Asparagus season has started!

I especially love the old Provençal farmer who sells just a few pots of herbs (in the autumn he had lovely squash). Most everybody I know shops at this market to support the local farmers. Which means you also get to meet a lot of your friends there and after buying all the goodies you need (and some just because they are so tempting) we always go and have coffee “chez Brigitte” and brush up on the local gossip.

 

Last week's crop: persil