I buy freshly picked vegetables and fruit that are in season – it is more likely to equate to optimum flavour and nutrition.
Many cooks are not familiar with particular vegetables or do not know how to cook them. For example: artichokes, chicory, fennel, cavolo nero, cime di rape, prickly pears, broad beans, cardoons, endives, kale (to name a few) would be classed as unusual vegetables to some shoppers.
But I can buy all of these ingredients from Carmel and Gus’s stall at the Queen Victoria Market (B Shed, Stall 61- 63).
On my blog you will find many photos of produce from their stall and recipes on how to cook them. This season the cavolo broccoli have been interesting to try .
I have again much enjoyed the artichokes and the cime di rape (see photo below). Most of the time, I stuff my artichokes with breadcrumbs, parsley, grated pecorino (if cooking Sicilian), garlic and I moisten the stuffing with extra virgin olive oil.
I braise them in broth and white wine. Great stuff.
I loved C & G’s stall as well when we lived in Melbourne, and oh I will never forget those wonderful braised chokes! Great recipe.
Ciao Marisa,
Che bello! I’ve just stumbled across your site whilst doing some research on cooking fish in Australia, in my quest to understand why we Australians don’t cook enough whole fish. I’m living my life sort of ‘al contrario’ to yours, I was born in Melbourne and now live in Rome. Long live Italians and their approach to food, in season and local, and don’t throw anything away! I’m learning all the time. Grazie, I’ll keep following you, Alice
PS. and now I know where to buy carciofi at the Vic Market.
We shall have to swap apartments – I’ll stay in Rome and shop at the Campo de Fiori market and you could shop at the Queen Victoria Market.
Marisa
Dear Marisa,
I’ve just discovered your wonderful website and I’ve already subscribed. I’m curious about where your roots are planted in Sicily. My mother, Concettina Sirugo Bellia who was born in 1909 had a classmate named Raniolo in Ragusa where I was also born. My family immigrated to the US in 1950 when I was 10 years old. Like you I am passionate about cooking, preserving traditional Italian regional recipes, and writing about cooking.
Please visit my website: http://www.giovannalamarca.com/giovannalamarca.com/G._LaMarca-Home.html
Tanti abbracci, Giovanna
Giovanna Bellia La Marca, Cliffside Park, New Jersey USA
P.S. One of your photos shows a white haired woman in a red jacket, is she per chance Mary Taylor Simeti?
Hi Giovanna, I have your book! It was probably the first one I bought written in English, even before Mary Taylor Simeti. You also found my blog when I first began writing it and you left a comment somewhere (which I cannot find because there are now numerous posts).
And yes, It is a photo of Mary Taylor Simeti – a hero. There are several photos of Mary in other posts.
There are so many Raniolo in Ragusa. My father’s sisters were Marianinnna and Emanuela (Niluzza). Marianinna would have been of that vintage.
I am pleased that you like the website. You may also enjoy Sicilian Seafood Cooking.
Dear Marisa,
I’m glad that we’ve re-connected.
Yes, Mary Taylor Simeti is an inspiration. I’ve just re-read La Tavola del Gattopardo: La cucina siciliana tra letteratura e memoria. I met her at the NYU (New York University) Casa Italiana at the opening of an exhibition of Giuseppe Leone’s magnificent photographs. It’s always a pleasure to visit Leone’s studio and gallery in Ragusa, and to have animated conversations with him. I met her again more recently at a wine tasting in Manhattan.
Thank you for your wonderful website, having become more computer savvy, I’ll keep track of your posts.
Stay well and be of good cheer.
Ciao, Giovanna