A Traveler's Diary- Final Port: Barcelona, Spain (part 2)

If you know me, you know that I love food!

I am not a picky eater although there are a couple of things I would rather not eat.

I love to experiment with food and try something new.

On top of that I love cooking food and trying out new recipes.

You could say I am a food enthusiast.

And because of that I enjoy, VERY MUCH, spending time in kitchen gadget stores as well as food markets.

That being said, when I saw the entrance to La Boqueria ........

..........while walking around Las Ramblas; You know I HAD to go in.

WARNING!!!! 

If you are not a foodie this post is not for you 😉

Before we walk in and you start drooling, Ok maybe you won't be drooling, but I sure was; let me give you some background on this amazing place. 

"The first mention of the Boqueria market in Barcelona dates from 1217, when tables were installed near the old city gate to sell meat. From December 1470 onwards, a pig market was held at this site; at this time it was known as Mercadi Bornet. Later, until 1794, it was known simply as Mercat de la Palla, or straw market. 

In the beginning, the market was not enclosed and had no official status, being regarded simply as an extension of the Plaça Nova market,(Plaça Nova is the place where the old city was born). The current name is believed to derive from the Catalan boc, meaning "goat", therefore a boqueria would be a place where goat meat is sold.

 Later, the authorities decided to construct a separate market on La Rambla, housing mainly fishmongers and butchers. It was not until 1826 that the market was legally recognized, and a convention held in 1835, decided to build an official structure. Construction began on March 19, 1840, under the direction of architect Mas Vilá. The market officially opened in the same year, but the plans for the building were modified many times. The inauguration of the structure finally took place in 1853. A new fish market opened in 1911, and the metal roof that still exists today was constructed in 1914."

Feast your eyes!!! 

 In Mercat de la Boquerìa all the senses will be pleased. Some people market their product prices loudly; while others just go on about quietly organizing their displays. In every corner you can experience new smells, familiar as well as exotic. The colourful presentation of the goods seem to be like a famous still life painting.

In  la Boqueria, you can find almost everything the culinary heart desires: sweets, honey, cheese, refined oils, olives, local and exotic fruit and vegetables, meat, ham, fish, seafood. All fresh and a huge selection.

There are more than 400 stalls in La Boqueria that sell fresh fruits, vegetables, sea food, meat, nuts, and so much more. The best time to go to the market is between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. You definitely want to arrive before the morning rush, when the food is most fresh. 

 While La Boqueria is the most famous market in Barcelona, it is not the largest. Although it seemed huge to me. The largest market in Barcelona is Sant Antoni, well known among the locals as the only market that offers commercial service 7 days a week. 

Full disclosure....while my intent was to end this post with the above paragraph, I couldn't resist posting this official video from La Boqueria's website. The market has their own channel on YouTube with chefs giving cooking lessons. 

There's one catch though, you have to be able to understand Catalan.

Alright, you can stop drooling now, I am moving on. 

Leaving the market and getting back on Las Ramblas to walk forward towards Port Vell. Follow me if you would like to see more of this area of the city.

 

 

(source)