Saturday Is Market Day In Issoire, Auvergne

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Saturday is always market day in Issoire, a charming old town here in the Auvergne region of France

Walking through the town's narrow streets to shop for produce and other merchandise remains one of the great pleasures of summers here.

Many of the products are locally sourced, such as this honey.

This merchant is at the market every time we come here

and her strawberries are the best.

So are her red currants.

Abricots for jam or tarts.

Ripe, flat peaches

Choosing a melon is science: "Do you want to eat it today or tomorrow?" she asked.

The average size of a red leaf salad at the market

I loved this old man in his old-fashioned cart, selling his own produce.

Rattes: the best potatoes for roasting

Organic potatoes and onions

The best saucissons at the market

Smoked, herbed, with blueberries, bleu d'Auvergne or St. Nectaire cheese, to list just a few.

Let's not forget the smoked ham

Rotisserie chickens  to take home for lunch

Pain Payet, just one of the kinds of bread available at one of the Issoire bakeries

The crust is the best

But the pain a l'ancienne can't be beat.

Clafouti aux cerises...

or brioches feuilletées, it all looks great.

A new stall this year sold micro greens.  I took coriander and radish greens, which really added something salads.

The same vendor also sold edible flowers.

These blooms, however, where for the garden.

Micro breweries are a thing even here in the Auvergne.

Instead of a rotisserie chicken, one can also purchase live chickens at the Issoire market.

or ducks, if one has a farm.

The freshness and the taste of the produce is so inspiring that I can't wait to get back to my kitchen to start cooking.  Sending greetings from my Auvergne kitchen back to Brooklyn, dear Readers.

Zucchini tarte with onions, potatoes and goat cheese.

Clafouti aux cerises

Poulet au citron with coriander micro greens