At The Market

Yesterday was the first time I'd visited Bergerac market in many months. It's held on a Saturday so is nigh on impossible for me to visit during the season.

Worth the wait though. I'd forgotten about the un- hurried, convivial atmosphere that runs through events such as these. Sociality taking precedence above all else, and that includes trade.

It's tempting to say that produce is at it's best at this time of year. Maybe it is, but then I cast my mind back to the scent of strawberries in early June, the 'hum' of an aged goat's cheese in Spring or the perfume of truffle in December and it's fair to conclude that during any season the market is a treat.



Sure enough there are pumpkin and squash of every variety, but it's the tomatoes which steal the show for me.



This continued run of warm Autumn weather leaves them sweet and at a point. A day later and they'll start to turn, eat them today and there's nothing better.

Plenty of garlic,

and onions.



All manner of beans are around now. Cocos, Lingots, Soissons, different sizes and texture, a recipe for each.

Roots of every description. The French love salsify. It's enormously popular and sells by the crate load.




Radishes, black and red.

Even the humble turnip is held in high regard. Cattle fodder this ain't, sweet and delicate this is.

Of course with so much to eat, it's important to have something to wash it down with, et voila!