The markets of Île de Ré

A defining feature of Île de Ré is its markets. At first glance they are not quite as picturesque as you would expect them to be in an island like this one, but give them a second chance. The markets look as though they are just for tourists, but this is where the locals shop too. La Flotte is the most famous of the bunch and is a gourmand's delight.

I left La Flotte with my arms full with Opinel knives, fresh almonds, bulots, an apple loaf, sumac and Île de Ré's famous miniature melons, trying to resist buying the array of saucissons (we were staying with a butcher) and oysters (we were to go and harvest oysters at the end of the week). This was the first time that I had seen fresh almonds, and they have the fuzziness and texture of peach skins, the nuts inside being very clean and slightly raw tasting, and they are much softer than the shop bought nuts that I am used to. The array of seafood at the island's markets is amazing, with oysters aplenty, lobsters, crabs, crayfish, langoustines and plenty more shellfish. We took our goodies home and our French hosts showed us how to cook the wonderful bulots.

Comments

[tommy]

Thank you, this is the first time I've seen fresh almonds too.