In some ways, February is one of my favorite shopping months. Sure there are less vendors and less products, but on the other hand, there are less shoppers, which gives me more time to talk with producers and vendors. Further, there are some fantastic new products just bursting with freshness and flavor. Here’s what I try and find while shopping at the market in February:

Italian artichokes are available in three different varieties – the spinosa from Sardegna, the violetta from Tuscany, and the carciofini from Venice. Italian tomatoes…I know…fresh tomatoes in February? Well, they’re not perfect, but they are far, far superior to the Moroccan or Dutch tomatoes flooding the major supermarkets. Look for the sardo variety, which is small and round and has a thick skin. These are quite acidic and often still speckled with green. Another variety to look for is the Sicilian pacchino, which some have claimed to be the best tomato in the world. It is still a bit early for these tomatoes, but they are quite delicious. They have less acid than the sardo tomatoes, and a thinner skin. Pacchino tomatoes are also a bit green at this time of year, but that’s not a big problem. Store fresh tomatoes at room temperature, and they will continue to develop flavor and ripen. Blood oranges from Southern Italy are really fantastic treats. There are two varieties to search for…moro and tarocco. The moro is smaller than the tarocco and much deeper in color. It is generally a bit more sour than the tarocco. Both varieties have plenty of antioxidants and are delicious raw or juiced. Try mixing in some blood oranges with a fresh salad. Perhaps you would like to try something different...Well, look no further than Monk’s Beard (Barba di Frata or Buckhorn’s Plantain). This rather strange looking vegetable is actually considered a wild herb, but today it is mostly cultivated. It comes here from the areas around Venice and grows in very wet soil that has a noticeably high salt content. Bite into a raw piece and you will actually taste the sea. This product can be enjoyed raw in salads, or quickly sautéed in olive oil and lemon juice as an accompaniment to fish. The greens from Switzerland & Italy make perfect salads this time of year. The cold weather always brings out the bitter in greens, such as the entire radicchio family (including the beautiful Castelfranco), watercress, and arugula (rocket). Most of these fresh greens are locally grown and are full of flavor and nutrients. If you like your salad a bit milder, then try the locally grown mâche (nüsslisalat), but be sure to select the wild-grown version and make sure you wash them well. From the storage bin, there are plenty of delicious and nutritious local products remaining from last year’s harvest. Look for cabbage (savoy, white cabbage, leaf cabbage, red cabbage), salsify, Jerusalem artichokes, parsnips, turnips/swedes, and potatoes. Finally if you are looking for a bit more food adventure, then be sure to look around closely for some real special products on the wild side. You should be able to find assortments of wild greens, wild fennel, watercress and purslane.

Happy shopping and cooking…

Jack

I love the market! But am often a little overwhelmed!

Thanks!
Brie

Hey thanks Jack

I thought that so far all the "food" posts here were complaning about Swiss food, high restaurant prices or "where can I buy Hula Hoops" (one of the reasons I left England)

I'm off to St Gallen farmers market later in the week so will look out for some of your reccomendations and will report back!

Mike

By the way, where do you go to the market?

I live in Zurich, and all the markets I've heard about are Tuesday and Friday Morning, which is a pity when you work.

Would you konw any Satruday or Sunday morning markets in the region?

Cheers

There is a Wednesday one too - all year round at the Hauptbanhof - the good thing is that it's on till 8 in the evening - so for the hardworking ones - one could make a stop on the way back home.

Is the one in Bürkliplatz on even now? - I mean in the winter time?

Thanks you!

Yes...outside markets never stop in Switzerland...they may have fewer vendors, but someone is always around.

As for Saturdays...If you are in the Zürich area, then your best choice is Oerlikon (right near the train station). No markets on Sunday...

For everyone else, here is a nearly complete list of the major markets throughout Switzerland...market locations

Jack

Thanks.
Beautiful web page by the way.
Makes me want to cook!

Let me know if you find any Hula Hoops in St Gallen.
Thanx
dave

I'll keep an eye out just for you Dave (what flavour????)
Mike

Thanks for that Jack... I'll try Bürkliplatz tomorrow morning then - nice and early - wicker basket in hand

Jack, are you planning on making this a monthly thread? I would be happy if you did .

Could you please tell me where to find watercress in Zurich? What names does it go under?
I have looked at various places and couldn't seem to find any. I have also looked at Globus/Jelmoli etc to no avail??

Yes, I second Lou. Great thread if monthly it would be greatly appreciated.

I concur, what and excellent thread! I love good food and different varieties of food. Not having grown up around here, I don't know all the things that are available and what is good and what isn't good throughout the year.

It'd also be great if people contribute tips such as where one can buy good fresh meat, fish etc. Supermarket is great for convenience but since I work from home, I've got time to go shopping during the work week and would love to know what's coming into season. Fresh produce can taste so much better than the supermarket variety!

Keep it up Jack!

As far as I know watercress is called
BRUNNENKRESSE in german

Thanks for that! I can now look forward to a much needed yummy ham, watercress & english mustard sarnie:

Amateurs of odd salads, keep an eye on something called "rosette" in French. My mum got me some from her district market and it's very interesting, quite bitter but bags of taste, goes well with simply a drizzle of olive oil and vinegar.

It looks like a green rose, very distinctive.

wow...thanks all for the comments. It is really great to know there are so many people interested in fresh food. I will make this a monthly post, and will do around the 20th of each month...I will post something again next week...

As for watercress...

Jack

Cracking website you got there Jack, I was looking for an English langage site explaining a bit more about Swiss wines for my English friends, I found it now...

PS Have a look at Geneva's wine, there are some interesting things coming from there

I can highly recommend the St. Gallen farmers market, and the fish counter that roles into Marktplatz is the best around. Have to say, I've never seen the Hula Hoops though...