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International Market in Arezzo, Italy

November 1, 2017 by Mary 6 Comments

Arezzo International market - spices for sale.

All the beautiful colors, all the beautiful spices!!

Two weekends ago was the International Market in Arezzo, Italy, where I am currently living. My very good friend Tiziana, was supposed to meet me for an aperitivo, but she was not feeling well so I was by myself and then ventured through the market.

I have to tell you about the aperitivos that are offered here. You order a drink such as a decent martini, as long as you explain it correctly that you want a gin martini cocktail instead of Martini brand bianco poured straight into a glass with some olives, and that’s um, bad straight white vermouth to us Americans – total yuck – for a martini.

So, anyway, now I’ve got this place that knows me and they’ve got it down pat, (so nice!), and for 4.50 Euros, you get a drink and then 3 small plates of salted peanuts, potato chips, and green olives, PLUS a buffet of cheeses, bread, roasted peppers, a pizza-like thing and sometimes roasted zucchini and eggplant – my favorites! I think this whole thing is AWESOME vs. 15 – 20 dollars for a martini in NYC, with not even a single peanut to boot!

So I’m walking down the streets of the International Market with nothing enticing me to buy or eat. I maybe could have stopped to have had a beer someplace and tried to meet some people but I had to drive home and I already had that one martini by myself so I did not want to do that. Then, this person on the street grabs my arm and says, “I know you!” and I’m like, “No you don’t. Nobody knows me here.” (except for my lovely 12 friends and NO ONE else and she wasn’t one of them) But no, she insisted, “I know you, I know I know you,” she said flaying her arms, very surreal. And I was like, Ok, maybe… and then she says, “From the winery!” Where I live in San Fabiano, at the cantina, she did write up my order…

It was so sweet of her and I was finally so sweet back. I may look normal on the outside but I am not, since Steve has passed.

I am really messed up In my brain and just with everything, I am so, so sad. Writing this now with tears streaming down my face, I’ve learned that it’s much easier to cry in the shower.

My whole life has changed and yes now, I am living in beautiful Tuscany with amazing friends, but I so miss Steve and I am so sad.

So for now, I just want to share with you some pictures from the International Market. Italians are very interesting. First of all, there were amazingly few “international” booths and when I was there, they were completely empty!

The Swiss and Tunisian booth had no one, the Russian booth had some activity with the vodka as well as the Spanish booth with paella. Potato chips were a hit in the German booth. My friend Cristina enjoyed the New York Pastrami booth, complete with Heinz mustard, the next day. But the most active booths were the prosecco, porchetta, salumi and cheese booths – all Italian!

Here are some pics to enjoy.

Arezzo International Market - one big paella pan.

This is one HUGE paella pan!!!

Arezzo International Market-loving potato chips

Italians LOVE potato chips and isn’t it neat how they get them on these spears?!

 

Arezzo International Market - the delicious porchetta.

Ahhh – the DELICIOUS porchetta along with the pancetta and salumis!! My “porchetta” recipe is here

Arezzo International Market - truffles for sale.

Truffles for sale!!

Arezzo International market - frying bread.

Frying ciaccia fritta – bread!

Arezzo International Market - another great Popiel product.

Selling another “great Popeil product.” I think this is a pot lid that can cook something else at the same time…

I’ll have a recipe coming next week. LOVE to all!!!

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Filed Under: Cookware and tools, Products for sale, Travel Tagged With: Arezzo, food, Italy, markets, porchetta, Tuscany

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Comments

  1. Virginia Worden says

    November 1, 2017 at 5:41 PM

    Thank you for keeping us in touch with you and the pilgrimage you are on. My heart is with you!

    Reply
    • Mary says

      November 19, 2017 at 5:22 PM

      Thanks Virginia. Harriet’s birthday would be on this coming Saturday…

      xo, Mary

      Reply
  2. Diane Hoey says

    November 1, 2017 at 8:54 PM

    Mary, so sorry for this sad time. It’s good to hear you are close to good friends and that a good martini and food aren’t far away. P.S. we saw those spiral potatoes in Japan this summer. A skew of potato chips – Yum.

    Reply
    • Mary says

      November 19, 2017 at 5:23 PM

      Thanks Diane. Have a Happy Thanksgiving – xo, Mary

      Reply
  3. Jovina Coughlin says

    November 2, 2017 at 9:26 AM

    What an interesting post. Looks like it was a great experience. Like the photos also. I remember my mother frying pizza dough for us. We loved it. Not on my diet now though. Would love all those spices.
    Jovina Coughlin recently posted…Time for Fall Flavored BiscottiMy Profile

    Reply
    • Mary says

      November 19, 2017 at 5:24 PM

      Thanks Jovina!

      Reply

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