L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 10 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2018 L'Italo-Americano LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE M any tourists rush through Italy, ticking off cities on an imaginary bucket list, zip- ping through museums and tak- ing holiday snaps in front of iconic attractions. This is fine if you are happy to simply cross things off a checklist. But in the Bel Paese, where life is savored, it seems a shame to be in such a rush. Italians believe in slow food and travel, where you take the time to soak in the character of a place, happily making the most of the moment. In a country where the people and culture are as colorful as the scenery itself, it is justifiable to seek out a more authentic connection to everyday life. Most locals in Italy have a daily appointment with their markets, where they begin preparing their meals. It is nor- mal to have a trusted family butcher, who saves that perfect cut to prepare a good veal scaloppine. Or a personal fish- monger, who has had them as clients for years and automatical- ly knows when to keep aside a kilo of sardines. A visit to a mar- ket will provide your average Italian with everything they need for a complete four course meal, from fruits and vegetables, to meats, cheeses, pastas, wines, bread, deli products, prepared hot meals, baked goods and desserts. Markets are filled with the sights, sounds and tastes of an Italy which relishes its food. In times of economic downturn, Italians will cut back on every- thing except what is on the table. Italian farmers, fishermen, butchers, cooks, pastry chefs and bakers are like artisans, they have a lifetime long passion for their art. Also the market tradi- tion, has a long history, as old as Europe itself, and stems from medieval times when travelling merchants would take their prod- ucts to other towns via new trade routes and roads. There is also an obvious connection to the middle eastern bazaar, which is widely dispersed through out the world in the form of open air trade and markets. Markets, are not only about the commercial exchange between buyers and sellers, but also about building a relation- ship: a daily market is an ongo- ing conversation, a sharing of recipes, socialising on a personal level, all in a buzz of activity and flamboyance. An early morning market is filled with the aromas of fresh fruit, vegetables, baked goods, and food cooking, with a chorus of yelling spruikers trying to entice you to their stalls with promises of the best prices or the freshest products. A little bit of banter is normal and, if you are skilful enough, you may even be able to get a discount. Quantity is always important, the more you buy, the better the chance of getting a good price. Markets are one of the best ways to understand the history, culture and identity of Italy. Every city has its own central market and there are also many smaller daily markets set up in different neighbourhoods, for those who cannot make it into the city centre. Most central city markets are strictly weekday mornings affairs and are closed Sundays and most afternoons. Moving out into the smaller towns, each place has its own designated market day during the week. From north to south, there are many large historical markets, usually based within the old cen- tres of the main capitals and are ROCHELLE DEL BORRELLO The passion of Italian markets a focal point of local cuisine. Near the markets you will usual- ly find the best restaurants, fami- ly run trattorie and a selection of street food, which takes advan- tage of the fresh ingredients. In the heart of la Serenissima, there is the mercato near Rialto bridge, one of the oldest markets in Italy. It has been there since 1057 and brings together the best of Venetian seafood and ingredi- ents, all wrapped in the music of the local dialect of Venice. Another perfect place to hunt down fine seafood is the port city of Genova's Mercato Orien- tale. Originally intended to be a convent, the palace was reopened as a market in the late 1800s. Part of the outer market is dedicated to the local flower growing industry, while most of the interior is filled with gastro- nomical delights. Always in the north, specifi- cally in Turin, the Porta Pila market is a vibrant part of Tori- nese life. The largest open air market in Europe, Porta Pila - commonly known as Porta Palazzo by locals - offers the best shopping in the city. The stalls reflect the culture, tradi- tions and tastes of the Piedmont region. Every Saturday, nearby at the Borgata del Pallone, you'll find the local flea market which is filled with antiques and other surprises. Bologna's dedication to food, and in particular pasta, is world famous and the Mercato di Mezzo is the hub of cuisine in the Emilia-Romagna region. Right at the centre of the city, this market has been there since the 1400s, with dozens of spe- cialized stores, small restaurants and Italian street food vendors. It is a joy to wander by each stall, being constantly tempted to buy wonderfully displayed food, while surrounded by a succes- sion of medieval palaces and piazzas. In the capital, Rome, there is the Campo de' Fiori market, which has been a focal point of the city for centuries, from being its original market gardens in the 1400s, which gave the market its name, to a back drop for a dark military history and even as a set for modern Italian cinema. Today the Campo is a vibrant piece of local life and sells everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to herbs and spices. Tuscany's Renaissance's jewel, Florence, has its irre- sistible Mercato Nuovo. Built in the mid 1500s, the portico was first constructed to accommodate the gold and silk merchants of the city. Today, it is a tourist market filled with leather and souvenirs, while upstairs there is an upscale food court, which is a perfect place to taste what Toscana has to offer on a plate. Heading towards southern Italy the markets are more vibrant and chaotic, yet possibly even more fascinating to visit. In Naples, the Mercato di Porta Nolana hosts the best of the city's flavors. Established in the 1500s, Porta Nolana's market is also a colorful window into the fishing industry of this port city. Arriving in Sicily you will be grateful for Palermitani's pas- sion for fine food, which has kept the market neighbourhoods of Palermo alive. You can still have an authentic Sicilian mar- ket experience at the Capo, Bal- larò and Borgo Vecchio markets, which keep traditions as vibrant as ever with many family run restaurants and street food ven- dors. There is an art to markets' shopping and it is always an adventure, as you never know what you can find. Fiery and vibrant Italian markets are the right place to see the freshest ingredients, in a smorgasbord of food and wine, crafts, textiles, antiques, clothes and many other random discoveries: a wonder- fully authentic experience. In Genoa, the Mercato Orientale is one of the best places to hunt down special foods and products Campo de' Fiori, in Rome, is a landmark of our capital

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