alltheleavesaregreen is surfing 43things
Have just moved to opicina (near Trieste, Italy) and am starting to discover the local shops. Would like to visit each of them by Christmas.
I’ve already been to the butcher’s (macellaio), the stationer’s (cartoleria), the newsagent’s (giornalaio) and the ice cream shop of course (gelateria) – as well as the Caffe Vatta…probably some others that I forget. But here’s an account of my trip to the fishmonger’s this morning – and why I think shoping locally is a good idea:
This is an extract from my blog:) http://tonyablowers.wordpress.com
I trundle off to Aldo’s the fishmonger, tell him that although the wild sea bass I bought last time was wonderful I can’t be doing spending that much on a family meal. But I’d still prefer to buy fish that weren’t endangered, or farmed, or fed antibiotics (but can’t be bothered to do the research myself, I could have added). He went through all his gorgeous looking fish:
“Signora, ci sono tre tipi di pesci.”
Madam, there are three kinds of fish.
This one is farmed and fed antibiotics – “non la consiglio”; this one is farmed, but naturally, in the sea and not fed anything, they just can’t swim very deeply, and they’re a bit limited in their enclosures; these, on the other hand, are fished in the open sea. The sea bass is expensive, but this, for example ‘Dorato’ – it’s also called ’salpa’, remember that Signora – is not so expensive and it’s very good.”
So I took some – and fresh anchovies for the cat. We all eat well here!
This is really what I was hoping for – my very own personal fishmonger, who can help me choose the fish, and tell me how to cook it. How great is that?
That’s generally what I love about living in Italy – often there is the time and space for these kind of encounters – the very thorough, personal touch, with people who really know (and need!) their business. Yesterday, for example, Fran and I went to the dentist’s (she’s getting braces in 2 weeks) and he gave me the most thorough (if painful) clean of my teeth I have ever had. Last week we went to a furniture store and had a personal assistant who guided us around the shop, looked through catalogues with us, introduced us to the boss who gave us a “personalised discount” – and then presented us with a ceramic jug as a take away gift.
Obviously, it’s all for sales – but certainly helps to soften the chores.
