August 16, 2012

To market, to market, to buy a...

...fat pig better yet, a hefty "Jamon Iberico" if you are in Barcelona.  Honestly folks, those Catalonians take their ham SERIOUSLY.  I'm talking grande' legs of Spanish cured ham AND better yet...are ya ready...Jamon (ham) flavored "Ruffles" POTATO CHIPS.  Yes you heard me right, freakin' "Ruffles" WITH ridges.  Hmmmm, gotta wonder if my local Wawa might be interested in this culinary phenomenon.

I discovered a gastronomical wonderland while in Barcelona called the "Mercat de Sant Josep la Bouqueria".  Or, as us locals like to call it "La Bouqueria".  Yep,  5 days in Barcelona makes me a local in MY book.   (**Danger, Will Robinson, Danger....photo overload approaching).



"La Bouqueria"
Barcelona, Spain


Enter thru the grand iron entrance off Las Ramblas into one of the largest food markets in the world.  The entire Catalan food industry is showcased here amongst it's ga-zillion food stalls.  Yep, a GA-ZILLLLLLLION...I swear!!!!!  And be prepared to have all your senses "pleasantly" assaulted.







"I'll take a dozen Ostrich eggs, please"
Barcelona, Spain


In the interest of full disclosure, I admit I am a farmers market-aholic.  So it takes a lot to impress me when it comes to meandering aisles of local produce.  Helloooooo....I lived amongst the Amish for 30 years folks, I KNOW my sweet corn, tomatos and apple butter.  Farmers' markets call to me like a pig answers to SUUUUUUUU-EEEEEEE.  Just don't CALL me a pig, okay?  Again, did I mention how much the Catalans love their Jamon?  




"Jamon Iberico"
Barcelona, Spain


La Bouqueria can be a bit overwhelming to the senses if you are a neophyte.  Ahemmmm, yep I'm talking to those members of my travel group who got a bit nauseous from the smells.  JUST because you walked by a fish-monger and JUST because you happened to be in the line of fire when the knife came down on some sort of humongous fish, and JUST because you got a bit splattered by fish entrails, doesn't necessarily HAVE to be a negative.  Actually, it kind of lends to the charm of the place for US locals...just sayin'.









Okay, I admit the whole bombardment of noise, colors, smells, and sights is a sensory overload and can literally make your head spin.  Especially if you have James Dean hanging around your neck just begging to be used ALL THE TIME.  I mean the entire food chain is represented in this maze of stalls from producers, harvesters, butchers, fishmongers, bakers and let's not forget...vintners, artisans, and purveyors of insects (?).





"Swimming Upstream"
Barcelona, Spain
(**I loved stalking following this gentlemen who was oblivious to the crowds)


Born in 1217 and built on the sight of a former convent, La Bouqueria is a market on the surface but look more closely and you'll see a live theatrical performance amongst it's 3rd and 4th generation sellers and the locals.  The noise, oh the noise.  The market is about it's people bringing the past and present together in the midst of Barcelona.  It's where Catalonians come to eat, shop and gossip together.





It's no wonder the Spanish are known for excelling at living life well and enjoying a sense of community.











Yes, the floors are wet in places from melting ice, fruit skins, and unidentifiable flying animal parts from the stall holders.  And yes, it is loud.  But I prefer to call that "ambiance".

What I DO know is that I'll have whatever THIS guy is selling...






Oh yeah, did I mention the Catalans LOVE their Jamon????





I have to tell ya, I could have easily spent all day at La Bouqueria if flying fish intestines and squeamish stomachs hadn't intervened.  It seemed like a crime to not buy enough provisions to cook a delicious Catalan dinner.  It almost made me wish I had a kitchen I could borrow for the evening.  Alas, I had to settle for yet another evening out on the town hitting yet a new Tapas restaurant where the chef most certainly procured his ingredients at La Bouqueria that morning.  And I guess that will suffice very nicely...for a local like me.

"Visca Catalunya!!!"... 

--Kathy

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22 comments:

  1. Calling by from thisorthatthursday, a lovely post as I was able to compare with our local markets.

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  2. Im living vicariously thru you Kathy until I can get back to Europe! Love this post!

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    1. Fun but exhausting. James Dean has been napping since we've been home, haha.

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  3. I just love your photos!!

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  4. Make me feel like I was there...minus the noise and smells.

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  5. Wow, you surely MUST be exhausted. I bet you slept on the plane. Love all your wonderful shots.

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  6. Welcome back Kathy! I've just done a catch up read on your posts since you've returned home. Looking forward to hearing and ' seeing' about your moments abroad.

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  7. I love this post my mouth is drooling looking at some of those pictures. Nice captures!

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  8. Fantastic shots! You captured it beautifully. You are taking me back to sweet memories of strolling the ramalade. Joining you from Deb duty

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  9. Amazing! Thanks so much for sharing.

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  10. Great shots! Look at those tomatoes and the "jamon! Makes me want to rush to the kitchen and make something!

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  11. great place to photograph. love.. and yes, over stimulation. so much going on.

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  12. Oh my- I have always wanted to photograph a market place like that! What a FABULOUS adventure!!

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  13. WOW! So many wonderful photos.. Everything looks so yummy..

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  14. so many interesting things! Great photos. Hugs P.S> thank you for sharing at the hop my friend :-)

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  15. ♥the pics! Felt like I was there with you. The fruit a veggies were divine, but the sea creatures were a little to up close & personal for me. I don't like meeting my food before eating it. Good thing it's only pics. ha-ha LOL@the ham flavored Ruffles...that would be an interesting concoction. Can't wait for the next batch of pics.

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  16. Keep bombarding us with your wonderful photos! These are magnificent!!!

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  17. Love your post! What an amazing place! I totally understand the photo overload...I'd be the same way :) ...one thing, though...I've often wondered how Catalonians feel about ham...were you able to pick up on that at all..? ;)

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  18. Loving the photos. The straw one was really pretty - and I'll have take whatever was on the sign "to go". Thanks!

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  19. Wow I thoroughly enjoyed each one of those pictures. I have become a bit of a farmers-market-aholic myself here!! SOoooo... this place would be heaven for me as well! I wish I could go there! I could do without splattering fish but hey, it goes with the territory I s'pose. ]
    I love all the colors & stuff that I have no clue what it is but looks so darn good! :) Well done!

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  20. I loved your earthy tour of Barcelona. You really did get a feel for the place. Your photos are amazing. Did you get to tour the inside of Gaudi's Sagrada Família? I have always been facinated with his large body of work there.
    My grandson just got back from Spain and Italy last week. He and a friend bummed around for three weeks.
    So glad your shared your photos.
    Have a great weekend. Ginger

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    1. Yes, we got inside the Sagrada Familia. I really like Gauis work up at Park Guell even better tho. I will be posting photos at some point on that too.

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