When traveling you are forever comparing everything to home. What do people here do differently then we do? We love food markets. They are a quick overview of what locals eat and what they call everyday things we are very familar with. Also, how other people combine things we would never think to put together. For example, I’ve discovered you can drop a fried egg on just about anything from a hamburger to a pork chop to a plate of spaghetti.
One of the things we have discovered that the Spanish do really well is the urban mercado. We have been to four so far, two in Madrid and two in Valencia, and they have all been exceptional. Mercados are very busy places where people congregate to socialize and purchase every kind of vegetable, fruit, meat, fish, spice, nut, cheese or wine imaginable. And a thousand other things you never even thought of. Most have small counters where we can purchase coffee or a drink as well as tapas and small samples of just about anything.
The Mecardo de Miguel in Madrid is a little spendy but a great place for lunch.
Mecardo de Miguel in Madrid
The Mercado San Anton, also in Madrid, is in the middle of the trendy gay district and is a huge social gathering spot with terrific tapas and wine vendors.
Mercado San Anton in Madrid
The Mercado Colon in Valencia is the swankiest of the markets we went to. Recently renovated, it is mostly flower vendors and small stalls run by fancy restaurants.
Mercado Colon in Valencia
Mercado Colon in Valencia
Flowers at the Mercado Colon in Valencia
By far the most exceptional Mercado we visited was the Mercado Central in Valencia. It is huge and filled with everything you never imagined you wanted.
Mercado Central in Valencia
Mercado Central in Valencia
The Mercado Central in Valencia
Mercado Central in Valencia
Veggies at the Mercado Central in Valencia
More veggies at the Mercado Central in Valencia
Iberian ham can be very expensive. Serrano ham is a little more affordable.
More ham at the Mercado Central in Valencia
I’ve seen about 20 varieties of shrimp.
Fish at the Mercado Central in Valencia
Fish at the Mercado Central in Valencia
More meat at the Mercado Central in Valencia
More meat at the Mercado Central in Valencia
Live eels at the Mercado Central in Valencia
These ham haunches can cost between $120 and $300.
Very scary fish at the Mercado Central in Valencia
I am definitely not eating this.
Anchovies at the Mercado Central in Valencia
Tomatoes at the Mercado San Anton in Madrid
Snails at the Mercado Central in Valencia
Seafood snacks at Mecardo de Miguel in Madrid
Snacks at the Mercado San Anton in Madrid
Shrimp at the Mercado Central in Valencia
Sardines at the Mercado Central in Valencia
Olives at the Mercado Central in Valencia
Nuts at the Mercado Central in Valencia
Olives at the Mercado San Anton in Madrid
Melons at the Mercado Central in Valencia