A Mouthful of Spain
Allow me to take you along Las Ramblas, a street in Barcelona, to a place that will enchant and stimulate the inner epicurean in you.
As we walk past numerous stalls with vendors hawking typical tourist souvenirs, the street lined with a variety of little shops selling everything from groceries to novelties, we arrive, right behind a Dunkin' Donut (what else?) at La Boqueria, the largest fresh food market I have yet seen in Spain.
As we feast our eyes on the colorful displays of fresh fruit juice stalls, the enticing aroma of fresh baked goods, the not-so-pleasant smells of fresh fish and seafood, the hustle and bustle of shoppers and vendors fills the atmosphere. It is jam-packed in the morning, as people heading for work stop for their daily dose of caffeine and nourishment for the day. A typical Catalan breakfast comprises freshly prepared Spanish omelette or tomato on bread (pa amb tomaquet), a cup of cafe con Leche, a glass of fruit juice.
If that is not enough, how about a brief stop at the pastry shop just outside, as we pay for a small bag of luscious lychees and a kilo of straight from the farms, blushing apricots?
Having explored a little of this fabulous market, I will now fly with you to another part of Spain - Madrid, where we will meander through the quaint and narrow streets to the Mercado San Miguel which stands in the heart of the Capital, with its soaring ceilings, lively bars, the row upon row of delectable prepared foods, from traditional cuts of ham and sausage to the delicately served desserts, and an abundance of tapas to satisfy the most discerning consumers. A little shop selling recipe books and other gourmet delights completes the picture.
Let us sit lazily at one of these bars and order a pitcher of passion in the form of Sangria as we pick our tapas from a mouth-watering array of little dishes temptingly on display in front of us.
Locals and tourists come together here, to taste, to refresh, to mingle and to experience the tantalizing flavors of Spain!
Dinner will have to be on a cobblestone street downtown, but it is going to be at a very late hour, maybe even 10PM or later, so we need to eat enough to last until then!
Enjoy!
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I really miss the sangria. It was so refreshing.
Yes, Buzz, it is refreshing, especially the way they make it there and the whole atmosphere. It doesn't taste the same anywhere else!
I seek all kinds of food and wine, Charles, not just "fine" - food is one of the most "living" ways to discover a culture and a people, I find. Thanks for visiting!
Just give me one of each of the fruit juices. They look delicious and cold in all that ice. I guess that's my first choice since it's been 80 degrees plus here today. Beautiful pictures with so much color. I wish I was there right now, well, maybe not right now, but after a good night's sleep and in the morning eating a big Spanish omelette and a cup of cafe con Leche. Hmmmmmm.....
I really need to keep my appointment with my eye doctor. I could have sworn this said spam. Won't find that at such a wonderful farmers market.
A lot could be said about about those who cannot or will not shop this way, another time. Looks like heaven to me.
Be my guest, Six! Pure and delightful these are, I assure you. Hope you had a good night's sleep!
I don't think I saw spam, lol! Fresh as fresh can be, 84! A feast for the senses, to be sure.
Ummmmm....that sure was a good Spanish omelette this morning and I loved the juice. I woke up after a couple of cups of cafe con Leche.
Wonderful article, Neetu. I've been to Spain a few times and have loved the food and the fresh made Sangria. The market looks like a place to get lost in!
It sure is, Spikegary! If you have been to Spain, you know what this must be like. I spent several hours one morning at this market and it was delightful! Thank you for visiting and I do recognize your name from the vine too - great to see you here!
Thanks Neetu! Last fresh Sangria I had was at an Argentinian Steak House in Panama City, Panama!
Nice! I have been to Costa Rica, not Panama - I bet that was a great travel experience! Have been meaning to go in that direction too - just haven't got to it.
I am soo jealous..
jwc, I did not see the sidewalk cafe you are referring to, but it is possible because I did not see everything! Was it anywhere on Las Ramblas? I did meander off some of those streets into others, but there is so much to take in. It sure does sound like something that would draw your nose to it!
Thank you so much for stopping by with that memory! If I go again, I shall be on the "sniff-out" for it!
Lol, 84!