I love shopping in Mercato San Lorenzo in Florence

Wow! Looks delicious Gattina.

Stop making me envious ,Gattina...My favourite city so far,in all Italy..it took my breath away ! Shame I couldn't afford any nice jewellery from the shops on Pontevecchio
Bridge !Lol...

It annoys me that we don't have Markets like this Grrrrr!!!
As you Know well Gattina, we have "Market Street" in Manchester ...But they banned the Market Traders. Then a few times a month, a pale imitation of Gattina's picture is seen and described as a European/Farmers Market...I'm grinding my teeth n now....

I know what you mean,Pimpernel..nothing at all like European markets..and so very expensive !I once chose a selection of biscuits..not very many,and he said'£8 please'! They must have been heavy!
Needless to say,I didn't buy them,and got some in our own local market at a fraction of the price,and just as tasty..I think.:o)

The trouble is, my friends, that good British home grown produce is nowhere near as colourful or photogenic as Mediterranean fruit and vegetables, but it can be every bit as good. Pimpernel, have you ever been to Ashton-Under-Lyme market on the last Sunday of every month? Wonderful garden produce, honeys, home-made ice creams, Pies, black puddings, chilli oil, plus local smoke-house meats and fish, and one of the most wonderful mature "Black Bomb" cheddar cheeses we have ever tasted. I still miss good British food - it's some of the finest in the world.
I didn't know they'd stopped the market stalls in Market Street in Manchester - what a dreadful thing! Which stupid bureaucrat thought that one up?
By the way - I am probably a bit out of date with British prices now, but who said the markets in Italy were CHEAP?

Gattina...I live in East Manchester now . 10 mins amble into Town or a 10 min bus ride to Ashton-u- lyne . Guess where I go? But It should be available in the City Centre.

I get loads of preserves at the Smith field Market.

We go to Ashton market occasionally,as we have a bus direct to Manchester almost passes our house..we change at Uppermill,for the Ashton bus..and lovely scenery en route..nice for a change..and free :o))

What a lovely colourful picture, my mouths watering now and aren't you lucky to live in such a lovely country. Nice to meet you and welcome to goy.

Thank you, Rose, but it can have it's disadvantages - it isn't all sunshine and ice-cream! The bureaucracy and the bad driving are breathtaking.

Nice....NJ has farmers market on Fridays. We walk down town and in season have famous Jersey Corn, Tomatoes, blueberries all grown by local farmers. Love it. Plan our meals around whats in season.

I love blueberries, Regina - I very nearly bought some plants the other day but came to my senses in time - we have alkaline soil here, and I believe they are ericaceous. Italians are very big on eating fruit and vegetables in due season, and quite right, too. All this cold storage and ripening with ethylene and flying stuff halfway round the world is not right. What's wrong with waiting? Was it Shakespeare who said something along the lines of "When there's cakes and ale every day, where's the fun in cakes and ale?"

Im with you Pimpernel...wouldn't it be wonderful if we had markets like that. In my home town, where Oliveoil still lives, they have a great market place and a market twice a week, but she tells me it's all a load of rubbish. Why is that? I mean, in the north of Lincs they grow loads of great crops, as they do here in Angus. And yet a market in Scotland is a rare thing indeed. Strange!! Most of the towns in Scotland don't have any market place at all, they tend to be a straightish road with houses and shops on one or both sides and that's it. I guess it must be down to the weather..too cold for outdoor shopping! brrrrrrr!

I have to say we have Bury Market a tram ride away and it is fantastic. Quality produce and at good prices, it must be one of the best in the country.

Excellent...I'm glad there are still some good markets around!

We keep meaning to have a trip to Bury market,Pimpernel,it has a good reputation..

It is well worth it Bloomer...Rather than go as a treat, I would suggest that you went before just before you do your main shop. So much better than a supermarket.

British markets are wonderful, and the produce is so good - I miss them. I was saying the other day to OH that I wish we could still go to Ashton-under-Lyne farmers' market on the last Sunday of every month. The produce here looks wonderful, but it goes off very quickly - I think it isn't always as fresh as you might think.

There are coach trips to Bury market from here,Pimpernel..so might try one..at least we don't have to bother about parking..:o)..Is it on only on certain days,or all the time.please ?

Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday the Market hall is always open I think..http://www.burymarket.com/defaulter.asp

The fish is amazing quality

Thanks Pimpernel,I will check it out :o).I just had to smile...this started off in Florence,and ended up at Bury market ! Lol.

Perfectly natural progression!

Ha ha..and so quick ! Hardly noticed I had flown all that way ! :o))))))))