Florence Food Tour

Our first full day in Florence, we spent the morning at Mercato Centrale.  Despite being a magnet for tourists like us, we beat the crowds and enjoyed a quieter atmosphere.  I wanted the kids to taste the tuscan bean soup I had years ago and loved.  But I got confused and realized too late we were eating tripe instead.  The kids actually enjoyed it though I never told them what they were actually eating.

In the afternoon, we met at a bakery for a food tour.  The Yule Log cakes looked incredible though we were too few people to buy one for Christmas Day.  We learned how most Florentine desserts are not sweet since traditionally sugar was hard to come by.

We walked around fruit and vegetable sellers which appeared as pop stands on most corners.  It's easy to see how one would only buy for a day or two and how fresh vegetables are such a staple in the diets here.

The locals prepared for the Feast of Seven Fishes as the monger walked us through the seafood options.

Next we stopped in a Forno, the bakeries where locals buy breads.



and a few not-sweet cookies...

We sat down in a huge wine shop which focuses only on Italian wines and tried charcuterie.

Then quickly paused at the oldest truffle shop for a glass of prosecco and a truffle cream sandwich, and ended with of course, gelato.

Completely stuffed, we returned to the apartment to relax and read and then ventured out for more food...pizza!