The Daily Diary of a Wandering Restaurateur
May 3 - Market Day in Montepulciano
Thursday is market day in Montepulciano ... and you can't keep Margene away from an Italian street market!
A quick look at a few elements of the Thursday market. The produce looked spectacularly fresh, a common characteristic in Italy where there is a minimum of factory farming. If it doesn't grow in the immediate area, it is not part of the local cuisine and therefore not in demand. So for example, tomatoes are a common ingredient in the southern half of the country but not in the north. Similarly, beef items are on northern menus but not southern ones. Very civilized! The porchetta trucks are a common feature at local street markets, at least in Umbria and Tuscany. They slice up whole roasted pigs to order and you can either buy the meat in bulk or they will make you a sandwich. This is an excellent product ... and even though I am sure that US health inspectors would have fits about refrigeration, they have been doing it here for centuries!
These should give you a feel for the feel of Montepulciano
© 2007 Restaurant Doctor
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