mercat central in valencia makes for some serious market porn. i love to visit local markets during trips and get lost in them. if you are like me, this one’s for you!
when you are in spain, your next good meal is never far. and the market places reflect that. they are not shabby, utilitarian spaces where you can barely get stuff for money. they are fabulous temples that celebrate good, local food and where people socialize just as much as they buy and sell.
below you have a part of the selection of the wonderful produce available.
since we are in valencia, here we have a selection of spices, including saffron, especially made for paella.
another valencian staple is horchata. here’s a recipe for it.
here you have some gift-wrapped jamon.
i have never seen bay leaves sold like this!
this is some sheep cheese with…wine!
each market i visited in spain had a special section for fish and marisco.
you can eat at one of the places around the market.
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but i’d say that the best place to eat is central bar by ricard camarena. they do great tapas!
it’s the best place to shut up and let yourself just be a fly on the wall. the people around you will order bocadillos, wine and the specials. the tone is familiar and the atmosphere is fabulous. the waitresses top the wine glasses every once in a while and the people range from fellow market people to ladies who lunch.
the last time i was there, i had some amazing rabbit and white wine. imagine how that lunch time buzz felt while i was walking around the market. it was my first day of vacation and it felt just like that.
i hope you enjoyed my visual tour!
photo credits: little aesthete
