Friday, May 31, 2013

Everywhere we travel, I always try and stop by farmers’ markets, especially if they are outdoors.

In fact, I should do another post about all the world markets we have visited in addition to the Turkish pazar photos that I regularly share.

Last weekend, while my husband worked in Budapest, I explored the city and re-visited the 117-year-old Great Market Hall (Központi Vásárcsarnok). This three-storied market, located on Fővám Tér in the 9th district, is the largest and oldest indoor market in Budapest. The brick building was designed and built by Hungarian architect Samu Pecz around 1896.
Many of the stalls were filled with spring produce such as asparagus in white and green colors, strawberries, green and red onions, rhubarb, greenhouse tomatoes and bright red cherries. I also found bags of spicy and sweet paprika, jars of local honey, tins of goose liver, barrels of pickles, bottles of Palinka (Hungarian fire water or fruit-flavored brandy) and lots of links of Hungarian sausage. (I certainly have moved to a pork-centric part of the world!)

I weaved in and out of the bustling afternoon crowds, taking photos as I went along. I tried to stop by one of the lángos stands (a deep-fried flat bread made of potato-based dough) for a late lunch, but the crowds were too pushy at 1:30 p.m. At least, I enjoyed one of these Hungarian specialties in February when we first visited Budapest. If you go, go early!
Here's the Hungarian lángos I ate back in February. Delicious!
Last time, I stocked up on bags of morel and oyster mushrooms (so cheap), both versions of ground paprika, a jar of chestnut honey, as well as Pick (brand) csipos (spicy) sausage and jars of Eros Piszta - a super spicy paprika spread, which goes great in soups.

If you are a local Hungarian, the market is also THE place where you would buy freshly baked breads, local cheeses, cured meats, chicken, fish, beef and pork.

But as a tourist at the Great Market Hall, I recommend simply savoring all the sights, smells and sounds. And just remember, drinking is allowed as early as 10 a.m. here as I saw many people doing last time.

Jó étvágyat! (Bon appétit in Hungarian)
 
Last but not least, you gotta have a photo of the pork butcher!

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7 comments:

jaz@octoberfarm said...

you are killing me here...just killing me!!!

Joy said...

@Joyce, sorry dear! And now we are in Prague this weekend. :-)

Mary B said...

Love that market! and now you are in Prague, a better place to be than Istanbul this weekend. I had lovely food in Prague, where I spent five days in 2004, but my fondest memories are of the beer :) I am not much of a beer drinker, but in Prague, you have arguably the best in the world. Explore the desitka (for lunch) and dvyenatska for dinner (different specific gravities and therefore, alcoholic punch.) Prague is such a lovely walking city; hope you are enjoying it.

Joy said...

@Mary B, Prague was fun, but very rainy and cold! We were with a group of 8 for the Czech Beer Fest, so we drank lots of beer and ate a ton of sausages and pork. I'm only eating lettuce this week! ;-)

Unknown said...

We're discussing Budapest for our next trip so these are wonderful photos to begin getting a sense of the city.

Joy said...

@thyme Sarah, Budapest is beautiful! We absolutely loved it! It's so easy just to wander down the side streets and marvel at the beautiful architecture! More posts coming soon!

Maddie said...

My blogging friend I love the new look to your blog....stunning! And I'm jealous of the loads of pork you are eating...enjoy!!