A scientist in the kitchen

It’s either summer, autumn or spring in any part of the world. For some who lives in the tropics where there is an abundance of produce all year-round and where the variety is not at the mercy of winter, I came to this realization when I organized the first To market, to market event. Not everyone can join since their farmers’ markets are not available come winter time. So I’ve decided to make this into a regular event where we can share how our markets look like. Or during our travels, we might have come across these markets that are so different from or own but nevertheless as fascinating and as varied.

Here’s how to join:

1. 1. Blog about the local market where you buy your food. Include a picture of the place (e.g. your favorite stall, a local delicacy, a seasonal produce). Talk about the sights and sounds. You can also blog about a market you have come across in your travels. It may be an organized one with its own building, a street market or any out of the way place where locals put up their produce.

2. Only one entry per blog.

3. Blog posts not included in the previous round-up are also welcome.

3. The post should include a link to this announcement.

4. Once you have written your post, email me at mgccarrillo AT gmail DOT com. Include the following:

* Your Name
* Your hometown/region and country
* Blog name
* Blog URL
* Post title
* Post URL

Please include “To Market, to market” in the subject line so I don’t lose your email.

5. Submit your entries by May 10, 2008 May 31, 2008.

Popularity: 82% [?]

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Cooking is a reflection of our culture, inasmuch as our local markets is a reflection of our cooking. For this first round-up of “To market, to market…”, entries came from the four corners of the world, up North in Canada to down South in Australia, from the West in the US to the East in Malaysia.

North America

Jenn, The Left Over Queen  shows off these Swiss chard (I’m jealous, I haven’t tasted Swiss chard yet) from the farmers’ market in Saint Augustine, Florida.

Australia

Johanna of the Green Gourmet Giraffe fame (how fascinating a blog name can you get?) shares with us a bite of that jam donut she has had since she was a kid which is sold at the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne.

On the other side of Melbourne is the Prahran Market where Cakelaw of Laws of the Kitchen shops for her kitchen needs.

Europe

This Little Piggy Went to the Market and here’s what she got! Pixie of  You Say Tomato, I Say Tomato shows off the Maidstone Market in Kent, UK.

Another market in Birmingham and this where Devi of Devi’s Kitchen shop, the King Norton’s Farmers’ Market.

Nuria with the most delectable Spanish Recipes shares with us the street market in Barcelona, Spain.

Nicole of the For the Love of Food (Think of Taste and Create!) allows as a peak at an open air market in Furth, Germany.

Gizelle of Was zum Kochen und Essen (und sehen) talks about Naschmarkt, Vienna, Austria, the farmers’ market closest to her place in Vienna.

North America

Nilmandra of Soy and Pepper shows us how colorful and fascinating is the Chinese New Year market in Singapore.

Phil Lees of The Last Appetite shows us a glimpse of Kota Bharu’s Central Market in Malaysia. Check out more of his blog for a treasure trove of pictures from Asia.

When Vegeyum of A Lifetime of Cooking visited Siem Reap, Cambodia, her search for true Cambodian food led her to the New Market.

My entry is on the vegetable medley you can get in a typical market in the Philippines as well as some photo entries:  Colorful it purple in Old Quebec, Seattle’s Pike Place Market, and Food from the Rice Terraces.

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Thanks for joining the event. One thing I realized though, is that we live in different parts of the world with different seasons and not everyone has a farmers’ market going on at this time of the year.  Well, then, I’m giving this a second round, with the round-up in early June! Special mention goes to Andy and Sweetnicks for the announcing the events.
 

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Where do you buy meat, vegetables and fish? Where do others buy their meat, vegetables and fish? There’s still time for you to submit your entry to “To marker, to market…” a blog event dedicated to the farmers’ markets around the world.

 Come back next for the round-up and check out the colorful world of farmers’ markets where food bloggers get their inspiration for the next dish.

Popularity: 19% [?]

I’ve always dreamed of having pasta with very large meatballs ever since I ate meatballs spaghetti in Sbarro. That was way back when I was a teen-age girl. Somehow, I only got to cooking large meatballs spaghetti during the holiday season last year. I forgot about it until I saw this picture so it is only now that I am writing about it.

Large Meatballs and Linguine Pasta

500g ground pork
500g ground beef
freshly ground pepper
salt to taste
2 tbsp of dried herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
250 grams unooked linquine pasta
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 large white onion, chopped
1/2 cup red wine
1/2 cup broth from cooking the pasta
1 can diced tomatoes
fresh basil
salt and pepper to taste

Mix first five ingredients together. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Divide meat mixture into four and shape into balls. Brown the meatballs in a pan. Place the meatballs in the side then add the garlic and onion to the pan. Saute till they are cooked but not browned. Mix in the meatballs. Add the wine and broth and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes before adding the tomatoes. Add the fresh basil, salt and pepper. Simmer everything till sauce is reduced. Add the cooked pasta, mix everything to coat pasta. Serve with cheese.

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Presto Pasta Nights is almost a year old. Thanks to Ruth for organizaing this event Ever wondered how a market looks like in other parts of the world? Check out “To market, to market”. Or you can share yours, too.

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Almost summer here, perfect for hiking up the mountain. Be great if I could get that Merrell shoes I’ve been eyeing for some time.

Popularity: 16% [?]