Auf und der Wien bitte?

I took a trip to one of Vienna's big farmers markets yesterday, Naschmarkt. Sure I could have been visitng palaces or another museum but I didn't want to miss the chance to see what the people are eating. Turns out it is a lot like in New York. People go to the farmers market and then grab a bite to eat or a latte, maybe do some shopping at the many H&M's and then head home. The big difference is that all of that can be done in the market, with the exception of H&M. Unlike our farmers markets not only are there fruits and vegetables for sale but you can find almost anything you ever needed from all over the world. It is also extremly organized, but you'll see what I mean in a minute.. I started at the top at the huge flea market. A lot of it is mini porcelain figures in old Viennese costumes. From there I made my way to fruit and vegetable stands. A lot of root vegetables in attendance fennel and carrots and potatoes. There was a lot of cabbage and squash, cucumbers, lettuce and onions. Eveyrthing was really big like they're on the juice.





A lot of the sellers are Turkish, in fact much of Vienna is Turkish but thats another blog. From the fruits and vegetables they are selling I would guess there is a big demand for figs and walnuts and grapes. Apparently there is a demand for cactus pears as well.



Things are very organzied, there are no piles spilling into one another. Everything has a crate and that is where they stay. Even the mushrooms had a certain way of being displayed and I can't imagine it is easy to organize mushrooms, they are such akward fungus. Though I have never seen the unakward kind.



Among the produce one would come across a flower stand. Please note how well organized this flower stand is. Now imagine an entire farmers market like this.



So there was also pastry and bread in this mix. Germanic cultures know how to use flour. The sweet breads and regular breads available are outstanding.



Cream filled sweet rolls.



Fresh baked bread.

So this is where it gets interesting.



Handmade pasta!




There is an entire section devoted to meats and I know some people out there who can appreciate stall after stall of prosciutto. Unfortunatly I am not one of them so you'll have to make due with this picture.

As I continued to make my way through the market I would follow the smell to stalls selling the smelliest cheese I have ever
had the pleasure of smelling.

Then there was the spice section and in here you start to come across little specialty stores as well. Indian, Chinese, North African and Turkish being the majority. Again with the organization.



At the end of the market is a couple of blocks of cafes where the uber cool Viennese 20 and 30 somethings listen to DJs spinning dance music because any good Austrian enjoys techno music with their cactus pears. Here they drink their beer and and coffees and soak up the sun before it gets to be another long and cold winter here in Wien.