Madame of the Villa with her eagle blue eyes, sets out to the open market. Preparing for Sunday lunch is serious business. I tag along for the adventure.
We start early in the morning, the moment the market opens it baskets and spreads out a feast. Bread is bought last as it is soft and doesn’t need to be squished. Of course if you’re me, you buy a baguette to nibble-on along the way. Madame of the Villa is not pleased with my lack of properness.
Goat, sheep and fresh cow milk cheeses, a different one for each day of the year, perfumes the air.
Chic fresh eggs in shades of brown with hints of pink.
"Hopefully you have a carton to put them in?" Nudges Madame of the Villa.
Navets, (turnips.) French script on small chalk boards.
A still life waiting to be painted.
"Do you know how to prepare radishes?" Madame of the Villa questions me, she thinks she has got me on this one.
"I do, I do, French husband has shared this haute cuisine technique with me…"
Nevertheless, Madame of the Villa interjects that salted butter is the key.
Vats of table wine to fill our bottles. I ask him if I could buy his apron? He looks at me like I am a crazy American tourist, and says, "No."
Fennel? Fennel.
"Stuffed cabbage is on the menu. Sans viande (Vegetarian version that is.)" Triumphs Madame.
(Though I think they would make perfect centerpieces instead, don’t you?)
Strawberries for dessert, we buy three jewelry boxes full.
Monsieur of the Villa walks ahead leading us home.
Photos: 1900’s oil painting of a Bonne Femme. Other photos taken today at the open market. Click on photos to enlarge.
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