Tuesday Tastes: Verdure Fresche

Oh my goodness I just spent 7 Euros on asparagus.

That works out to about $1 per stalk.

I kind of wish I didn't do that math. . . again.

Shocking but I probably would have paid 20 Euros because this is the first time I've seen it for sale since we've lived here (June). In the States asparagus was my go-to side dish. Always easy and elegant and I've really missed it.

Here only the freshest fruits and vegetables are sold. . . only things that are in season and they take such pride in all of it. At the fruit stores, you are not allowed to touch anything. You tell them what you want and they carefully select each piece. At the grocery stores you must wear a glove to select your own fruit.

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Fresh fruit and veggies must be purchased almost daily because everything is sold at its peak and only keeps for a day or so. No stocking up at Wal-mart for the week. But it is gorgeous (I can't believe I just called food gorgeous but really it is. None of this not-quite-ripe stuff you see in the States) and tastes just as fabulous.

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I am so glad to finally find asparagus because I had decided they just must not eat it here. Not too far fetched because Italians don't eat fresh corn. Can you imagine a summer without fresh corn on the cob? I had one. They sell in it cans but that's it. Actually, they also sell a frozen pizza called "The Big Americans" and guess what it has on it. . . corn.