Page 4 - Italian-American Herald - June 2024

4 ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM | JUNE2024 ITALIAN-AMERICANHERALD EXPLORING
Markets: Integral - and ancient - fixtures in the Italian way of life Continued from front page
buildings or in set locations, while others are roving events which move from one location to another. Vendors who move from place
to place often show up in vans with their products neatly stacked inside which they lay out on permanent or temporary stands (un banco or una bancarella). Food vendors may arrive with vans which are customized with refrigerated display cabinets for perishable foods and a large awning to provide shelter from the sun or inclement weather.
Then there are specialized markets
which take place less often but are just as popular. This might be a market which sells chocolates, antiques and vintage items, or
a medieval market which caters to patrons who take part in medieval reenactments. It is also interesting to visit a craft market where you can meet local artisans and browse or purchase handmade items such as pottery, jewelry, wood objects, metalwork, paper, glass, leather and much more.
Markets are especially popular in smaller towns because there may not be a nearby commercial center or smaller stores for residents to shop in. They also serve as a gathering place where people can connect with their friends and neighbors and spend time outdoors. While most products have
a set price, one can sometimes bargain
for a better deal. These local markets are
a touchstone of their culture and a way to support the farmers and craftsmen who live in the area. In general, these markets sell
new merchandise and are different than flea markets (mercatini delle pulci) or secondhand markets (mercatini dell’usato).
One of the oldest markets in Italy (and
in Europe) is the Mercato Sotto il Salone in Padua. This market is located on the ground floor of the Palazzo della Ragione which in the Middle Ages was used for administrative purposes. Construction of the building began around 1218 and the Palazzo is recognized as having one of the largest raised halls in Europe. In the great hall on the upper levels the walls are decorated with frescoes with more than 300 scenes.
The market takes place sotto (under) the hall above and offers primarily groceries, meat, cheese, fish, wine, and sweets. Many of the products are local specialties but goods are sold from other regions as well. There are over 50 shops in the market and also areas to order coffee or wine or to eat. The market is a central part of the city, a favorite place
to shop for locals and a wonderful place for visitors to get a “taste” of the city and its local food scene.
In Palermo, Sicily, Ballarò Market is where locals and visitors head for traditional Sicilian food and other merchandise from all over the
Porta Portese is a well-known Rome market which winds almost a mile through Trastevere’s medieval center. | ADOBE STOCK
world. The markets dates to the 10th century when Arab culture dominated the island, and it was known as the Market of Mirrors.
Goods displayed on the traditional “bancate” or counter are artfully displayed. Here you will hear the vendors calling out to customers in the local dialect in what is referred to as the “Abbanniata.” These vocal advertisements can sound like a poem or
a song and are a performance not to miss! People of all ages and backgrounds gather here to find fresh fish, meat, vegetables, olives, fruit, and cheeses as well as delicious Sicilian sweets. These range from almond nougats, carob candies, buccellati, cannellini and cannoli.
Visitors can also enjoy Sicilian Street food such as sfincione (a bread-like pizza) or “u pani ca’ meusa” (a soft bread topped with sesame, stuffed with chopped veal lung and spleen that have been boiled and then fried in lard). Also available are arancini and frittola (leftover veal scraps boiled then fried until crisp and served in a paper scone). Rascatura, made with leftover dough from various breads, croquettes and arancini dough, is another favorite. Rascare means to scrape so these doughs are scrapings which are then shaped as a croquette that tastes like potatoes, chickpea flour and parsley.
In Genoa, the Mercato Orientale is held in a former convent within the building’s cloister. The market opened in 1899 and draws both locals and tourists with its
Rascatura is a popular choice for street food at the Ballarò Market in Palermo, Sicily. | ADOBE STOCK
offerings of not only fruits, vegetables, meats, and fresh bread but also clothing, shoes, and costume jewelry. You can also select local cheeses, pasta, focaccia, oil, pesto basil and anchovies from the Ligurian sea.
Porta Portese in the Rione Trastevere area of Rome is the best known and largest market in the city. Many Romans make it a point
to head there on Sundays but tourists also flock there because of the array of vendors offering wares and to get a sense of daily life in the city. This weekly market, open each Sunday morning, stretches over a mile in this medieval center near the Tiber River.
It is well known for its vendors who
sell a wide range of antique items, vintage clothes, second-hand books, and countless other items. It is a multicultural experience as vendors are not just from Italy but from other countries as well.
One note of caution is that with crowded markets you will need to be aware of your surroundings because these places are also well known for pickpockets. Be aware also that as you meander through the streets of any city you may often see wares temporarily placed on the ground which are usually knock-offs of well-known brands.
While a bit smaller, the Campo dei Fiori market between Piazza Venezia and the Tiber