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:
you are killing me here...just killing me!!!
@Joyce, sorry dear! And now we are in Prague this weekend. :-)
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.
@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! ;-)
We're discussing Budapest for our next trip so these are wonderful photos to begin getting a sense of the city.
@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!
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!!
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