Mercato Orientale 17.05.2010

Words cannot describe the loveliness that is the Mercato Orientale, a huge indoor marketplace in Genova that has over a hundred vendors of every possible food product that you would expect to find in Italy.

We bought focaccia with black and green olives in it (and olive oil on it) to snack on as we walked around.  A much deserved treat after an hour spent waiting in lines (and getting nowhere) at the Questura, trying to get my "declaration of presence" paperwork (dichirazione di presenza).  This is required for all tourists staying in Italy for more than 8 days.  Keep in mind that the Italians created bureaucracy.

We bought miele agrumi (citrus honey), a jar of pesto, zucchini flowers, loquats (nespole) and basil (basilico), with the roots wrapped in paper to make it last longer, from this guy.

Zucchini flowers.  These are the biggest ones I've seen here so far.  My mom stuffed them with goat cheese and scallions, then fried them. 

Genovese pesto in the case at the back, then a variety of honeys.

We got the goat cheese for the zucchini flowers from here.

                                                                
                                                                     Mmmm...cheese.




 spices

       dried porcini mushrooms, wild strawberries and loquats

Arrivaderci, y'all.





Time for some espresso at home.