How to Shop at an Italian Fresh Food Market

One of my favorite things about Italy are the amazing fresh food markets that you find in every town (or in each neighborhood in larger cities).

Wandering through a market is one of the best ways to mingle with locals going about their daily lives, as well as to experience the food culture that makes Italy so unique.

While supermarkets have become common, most people still do at least some of their shopping at the fresh market. In smaller towns, markets might be on specific days of the week. In Rome, food markets are open from about 8 am – 1 pm Monday through Saturday.

So what else do you need to know about buying all things tasty in an Italian fresh market?

Guide to Shopping in Italian Markets:

1. Don’t touch: all those piles of gleaming fruit and vegetables can be pret-ty tempting but you really should not lift a finger towards them unless you’re told you can. A lot of vendors prefer to do all the bagging themselves for health and safety reasons, but a good indication that you are allowed to select the produce yourself is if there are bags left out in front of the food. You can confirm with a simple “Posso?” (Can I?) and you’re good to go. But if you’re told not to handle the food, then have no fear – the seller will judge the ripest and the best pieces for you.
2. Know your numbers: since you might not be able to touch and bag the produce yourself, you should know how to say the numbers 1-10 in Italian. Food is usually purchased by the kilo, or grams for a smaller amount.
3. Buy food in season: to really taste the flavors that Italy is famous for, you need to buy foods in the right season. If you’re not sure what’s at its peak at a given time of year, do a quick spin around the market stalls and scope out what seems to be present at most stands.
4. Don’t bargain: the key to getting a great deal at the market is loyalty. You need to have your stall that you go back to again and again. The vendors will begin to recognize you and start to round the bill down and/or throw in some extra produce or free herbs for cooking. But the food market is not a place to haggle. Prices are clearly displayed and you will be given a receipt at the end.
5. Be prepared to discuss your menu: if the vendors ask what you’re making, they aren’t being nosy – they are getting ready to suggest the best kind of fish/tomato/pasta to use for that particular dish. The reverse is also true – if you see an ingredient that you’re unfamiliar with, go ahead and ask how to use it! The seller will be happy to share their favorite recipe or tips for preparation.

A few helpful terms to know when shopping for food in Italy:

Un’etto: 100 g

Un kilo: 2.2 pounds

Mezzo kilo: 500g/ close to 1 pound

Delle: some

“Chi è l’ultimo?”: “Who is last?” which is how you can determine the order that people will be served when there are no numbers and (of course) no line. Pay attention to the person who said they were last when you arrived. It is your turn as soon as they are done!

And a shout out to Elizabeth Minchili who has also shared tips about shopping in the market on her blog, and shares lots more tips in her book Eating My Way Through Italy.

Note: That is an affiliate link, but I have read and do recommend the book. I’m planning a full review soon!

Read More:

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