Thursday, September 3, 2009

A Visit to the Borough Market

So the obvious question might be: Why would I include a picture of sweet limes below, as the first picture in this post, if I didn't get sweet limes at the Borough Market? Well, there's no real logic to it, these limes are yellow, which is unusual as you know because it means they were allowed to ripen, and they came straight from Pakistan to London in someone's suitcase as a token of affection from the people who work on our farm there.
Sweet lime and Jasmine trees were planted all over the backyard of our house in Lahore by A.'s grandfather and give off the most intoxicating mingling aroma when they are both in bloom in the summer. A. likes to bite into them when they are ripe and suck out the sweet juice but we haven't been there in a while, so someone was kind enough to think of him and bring some back.
I still find yellow limes unusual to look at, so you get to see a picture of them.

Limes no really

But on to the meat of the matter, so to speak: The Borough Market in the heart of London, very close to the Tower and London Bridge. It's huge, both indoor and outdoor, and chock full of most anything you can eat. We don't get there often enough I'm sad to say, and unfortunately we most often remember to go on Saturdays, which are by far the worst day to go, but when it's open only between Thursday to Saturday, there isn't much latitude for our addled parents-of-an-infant brains.
There you can find smoked shrimp pita sandwiches which I had never had before and which are quite good, I must say, though I was skeptic at first.
Smoked shrimp pita

Various vegetable and fruit-sellers have more or less exciting wares, though my favorite stand has to be the one selling the dried fruits and nuts in the top left-hand picture below. We tasted some freshly-pressed juice combinations, some of which worked, others less so. We got lost in some corners and back-tracked through alleys leading us out when we were trying to go in. I exchanged amused glances with other camera-laden visitors, clearly food-bloggers. The best part was watching Baby Saffron take great interest in all the hubbub and products. Her ceaseless curiosity was only increased by the array of colors, the smells and the sounds before her.
At the Borough Market

The most fascinating part of the outing came when A. took her into one of the better fishmonger's stall where he spotted some beautiful razor clams. A. loves nothing if not good seafood and it was fun to not only watch him explain everything to her and see the wonder in her eyes as she surveyed all these odd-looking shapes below, but to see the delight the fishmonger took at her ready smile and undivided attention toward the fish. It doesn't hurt that she's pretty cute too...

Teaching Baby about fish


I love farmers' markets, especially when they are large like this one, as you are always bound to discover something else you'd forgotten was in season or perhaps had never seen or tasted before. And one of my favorite things is the always-present stall with an unholy quantity of eggs, enough for you to bake every egg-containing recipe you might have at your disposal or perhaps make an omelet for a regiment. I don't know about anyone else, but that many eggs always makes me want to take a whole flat of them home and bake all day long (and I've done exactly that before in France).
At the Borough Market
And I haven't even mentioned such landmarks as Neal's Yard Dairy there, but just the fruits and vegetables will keep you occupied for quite a while. If you love food, you must definitely stop there while you are in London, provided it's between a Thursday and a Saturday of course (interesting market-visiting babies sold separately).

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20 comments:

Karen Baking Soda said...

I love love love Borough market! I've spend a great few hours there with blogging friends, sweet memories.
So cute... brings back memories of doing the exact same thing when my oldest was that size (he is 16 next week and won't be carried around anymore sigh). Enjoy!

Meeta K. Wolff said...

i love farmer's markets too. we visited the bourough market when we were in london a couple of years back. loved the atmosphere! lovely shots hilda colorful and full of vibrancy.

Mowie @ Mowielicious said...

I love, love, LOVE Borough market too! I would go there weekly if only I lived closer. The vibe and energy there is just amazing. Loving the pictures Hilda - very nice!

kellypea said...

What a fabulous place! Your photos are excellent. We have farmer's markets here as well, but nothing like this.

Anushruti said...

Nice pictures that capture the atmosphere of a farmers market. Now I will have to visit Boroughs when I'm in London.

Unknown said...

I used to have a lime tree with these limes the last place I lived. Many people here have this variety of lime tree growing in their gardens. The green limes that don't get ripe are grown as well but this variety is more popular as it makes better limeade.

Anonymous said...

This cute baby of yours must be a big hit not only in the market, but everywhere! Good job (pat on your back)

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

So that's your little one. No it doesn't hurt at all when they're cute. :)
Those limes, that's what we get all the time here.
And I love markets. Our market here, used to be right on the riverside, till they moved it to a huge building. :(
The market is still fun but the earlier atmosphere is missing.

Colloquial Cook said...

Ah souvenirs souvenirs :-) c'est toujours aussi cher sur Borough Market? Ca me fait penser qu'on ne voit toujours quasiment pas de butternut squash en France. Tsk tsk tsk.
Trop belle ta papoose. J'en veux une.

Jamie said...

I don't know if I love your telling about the visit, the gorgeous pictures of the products or seeing Baby Saffron so involved! Wonderful dreamy post!

Elizabeth said...

I didn't know that limes would turn yellow if left to ripen completely! I thought they were green all the time.

I'd LOVE to go to that market. It looks fabulous.

-Elizabeth

(Excuse the reiteration, but your photos are really beautiful)

Unknown said...

How pretty; now I want an omelet.

Leah Wentzel said...

i just ate dinner and these shots still made my mouth water!

Pat said...

The market is amazing! The tomatoes look like you could just pick them and pop them in your mouth.

Stacy said...

Hmm - never have seen a yellow lime before!

Dbe said...

Butternut squash...yummmmm

Kat said...

Our market closes during the winter-I can't wait for it to open again!

Jeanne said...

I love Borough - great shots of husband and child!

Sari @ Cook Your Dream said...

I love Borough market but I always spend too much money there! ;)

Ted said...

As I'm leaving comments for Haiti, I'm starting to come across posts I recognize. I guess I knew you by now.

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