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Just when I think there is nothing new to see at Bodrum market, I find another first - Sage "apples". According to my admittedly rather ancient guide to plants of the Aegean, these "fruits' are not fruit at all but "galls". I await further information because I've drawn a blank on the internet. I wasn't expecting them to taste very good but I can see why they are called apples in Turkish; a sweet/sour juicy mouthful with a hint of sage, not at all unpleasant.
My second surprise is not so pleasant. I needed some celeriac for a supper party on Thursday night and could only see tiny ones. I asked how much they were and when I found out that a "mouthful" size one was 3 TL I protested. Asking the stall holder how he could justify the high price, I was told that markets are always more expensive than shops. Are they? When did that happen?
If you find out more about the sage galls I'd be interested to hear it.
ReplyDeleteAnd as fotr market and shop prices...French markets were usually more expensive than the shops and here in my local town the supermarkets announce 'market prices' on the day when there is a feria and their veg and fruit prices skyrocket!
Our prices always double before a holiday too.
Delete. . can confirm that 3 lira is the price here in Ortaca, too - although that's for 'normal' sized roots. We justify the cost because we use the tops in soup but J agrees with you, prices are rocketing in lira terms. The shop-market excuse doesn't hold up - not here, anyway. As for the galls, when you consider what causes them - from mites to other insects to viruses to . . you name it, eating them must be on a par with eating blowfish!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind paying 3 TL for a big celeriac, these were the size of small . apricots. Once I found out they were galls, I wasn't keen on eating ten anymore.
DeleteDefinitely in Fethiye the markets are more expensive in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jane. Thanks for commenting. I think markets are now getting a "trendy" thus "expensive" tag.
DeleteHa ha, think your market trader was having you on. Our supermarkets in Fethiye are always more expensive than the markets. Fruit and veg prices are rocketing this year, though. Seen lots of chuntering about it on Twitter and the govt struggling to keep prices down.
ReplyDeleteNever seen those sage apples though. I love it when you find something new on the market and this is the time of year that always seems to throw up surprises. :)
Our market is on both Thursday and Friday. Thursday is always dearer than Friday.
DeleteWell, that's a new one on me (galls and the unscrupulous stall holder).
ReplyDeleteSurely not the latter.
DeleteB to B, Sage apples - hmmm. I have a big sage bush in our yard. Maybe it will make some for me. As far as the prices go, they certainly have been shooting up lately, but I don't think the retail sellers at the market are getting rich. Middlemen more than anything, I think, set the price of things. Throw in fuel, seed and fertilizer prices and you've got big time inflation in food prices. In our case, because I'm very grateful to our very hard-working market people who always come out to the island every Friday come rain, snow, sleet and dark of night, coupled with the thought of how I hate going to the Carrefour in Beyoğlu, I just pay up and don't think about it much.
ReplyDeleteI shall endeavour to only buy from local sellers. Straight from field to market with no middlemen.
DeleteWould have loved to try Sage Apples - for the Pazar, my parents weekly pazar seems always cheaper than the supermarkets which I am and they are grateful, as that visit is such a highlight for us. Cok selamlar, Ozlem
ReplyDeleteI was at the Mumcular market on Sunday and the prices were much more reasonable there.
DeleteWe were at our local market today and prices, though higher than last year, were reasonable. Aubergines down to 2 lira a kilo, bakla 2 lira a kilo, artichokes finally affordable (frosts got them). We didn't see any kereviz though - but I guess things always cost more out of season.
ReplyDelete