Czech Republic

There’s nothing quite like a fish-on-a-stick for breakfast at the Saturday APLAVAKA farmers market in Prague, especially if you’re a mackerel fan.

* * * * * * * * * * *

There’s plenty of other prepared foods to stir your post-Soviet soul, like good old patriotic sausage and cheese cones. Except that’s an Austrian flag invading Czech territory.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Is it true that the Czech Republic’s economy relies on everyone eating their body weight in sausages once a week…

…with a few pounds of hearty bread?

* * * * * * * * * *

You might be surprised at the number of people gulping down Czech beer and wine at 9:00 a.m. or then again, you just might want to wash down your own feast with a few liters of Cannabis Apple Cider.* * * * * * * * * *

Some vendor stalls are conspicuously Western tourist-free zones like the one offering peppers stuffed with sauerkraut in bright plastic buckets.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Being a brainwashed Californian, I was attracted to fresh and local items rather than prepared and local items. September is mushroom season and I bought dirty ripe PORCINI’s to rival those in Italy.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Must just have a peek at my pedometer readout before I cook this hand-crafted saffron pasta to go with my mushrooms.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Now for basics. These gorgeous black plums are everywhere and make perfect jam or compote.

* * * * * * * * * *

There’s organic eggs with fat orange yolks!

* * * * * * * * * * *

Nothing could stop me from joining the longest queue in the market for a trio of verdant pestos spread on charred toast. From left to right: Cilantro, Basil, Nettle.

The nettle pesto was far and away the best…

…so I will be giving it out as gifts to daring eaters.

* * * * * * * * * *

At the same market Crafts were abundant at remarkably inexpensive prices. I wanted a carved wooden bowl but that meant I’d have to jettison all the jars of pesto I just bought.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *