How To Shop For Food On Holiday In Italy

So you've booked a self-catering holiday in Italy on aother indignities. May brings strawberries and cherries
farm in Tuscany or by a beach in Liguria? Enjoypiled high and bright. Peaches and nectarines follow
exploring the flavours of Italy with this basic guide towith melons of all varieties. By the time you reach
help you enjoy food shopping as part of your holidayautumn these have been succeeded by heaps of
experience.glistening grapes, luscious figs and juicy pears. Watch
Traditionally Italians shop every day for what theythe local signoras carefully selecting their fruit and veg
want to eat that day, as freshness is a big concernand you will get an idea of what is at its best and
to them. You won't find huge fridges in most Italianwhat should be left another week until it is truly in
kitchens, so decide every day as you shop, whatseason, ripe and delicious.
you want to eat that day, according to what looksThe alimentari now- the general grocers store. You
freshest and most appetising in the shops. The shopwill probably be following the same group of signoras
keepers are quite used to selling just two slices offrom shop to shop as they do their morning round.
perfectly sliced prosciutto, or a small piece ofEverything is here, from tins piled high, to packets of
pecorino cheese. You can of course just head to apasta, with a counter of cheeses and salamis to be
supermarket and fill your trolley for the week, butsliced to your requirements. You can ask for two
shopping the traditional way in all the little shops is anslices of prosciutto crudo - cured ham, thinly sliced or
experience not to be missed and you will gain morebuy sliced meats and cheeses by the etto - a
cultural understanding this way, than any amount ofgenerally used term for 100g (about 3oz). If you
museum visiting will provide.want to have a taste before you decide to
Follow your nose first to the Forno, for crusty whitepurchase, just ask and a sliver of cheese will be
bread, rolls and salty focaccia, a soft olive oil pizzapassed over the counter for you to pronounce
bread cut into squares, that the school children oftenjudgement on. There will also be containers of herby
stop by for as a morning snack. Pane integrale isolives and sundried tomatoes to buy by weight.
wholewheat bread and becoming more easilyBottles of mineral water and wine will rub shoulders in
available. If you don't acquire the taste for thea corner.
traditional, unsalted bread you can ask for pane salataFor a treat stop by the pasticceria for a tray of
- salted bread, which is sometimes available as adelicious creamy pastries, which will be wrapped in
speciality bread.paper and ribbon until they are worthy of the
Next drop by the fruttaverdura - the greengrocers.Christmas tree.
Italy has a wonderful variety of fruits and vegetablesNow head off for a picnic lunch in an olive grove with
and you will find whatever is in season and at itsyour spoils, or treat yourself to a long lunch in a
best. Italians are distrustful of imported food, therestaurant and keep your shopping for a delicious,
more locally grown the better, so most of what is onno-cooking, light supper on the terrace of your
offer won't have been subjected to cold storage andapartment.