french attitudes to food Archives

Tellines à la Persillade, a simple market dish

October 27, 2016 by ashleyt 5 Comments

Tellines (pronounced tellEEne)

There was a little commotion yesterday morning at Saint Remy de Provence market. Gilles, the oyster and mussel vendor, placed a large tub of tellines at the front of his stall. First to notice, with coffees in hand at 8 am, were the other foraines (market workers). Some even stopped in the middle of the bise* greetings to make their way over to Gilles’ stall. Threats were made to keep some for them. The lip-smacking in anticipation for dinner started particularly early.

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Joyeuse Pâques! Easter in Provence

March 26, 2016 by ashleyt 9 Comments

Easter in Provence

The bakeries are full of handmade chocolate. The church bells have stopped ringing last Thursday only to burst to life on Sunday morning, and just about everyone is planning a large meal that is sure to include some local lamb and spring veggies.

Easter Chocolate

The biggest difference between Easter here and my native North America? Most French people buy their easter eggs either at the local bakery, which has made them especially, or an artisan chocolatier. We eat a lot less, but higher quality chocolate. This is the mantra for just about anything food related here in France. The radio commercials that warn you that snacking is bad for your health make me laugh. In Anglo-Saxon culture, all people ever seem to talk about concerning eating habits is snacking! I’m personally with the French on this one- I’d rather stretch the limits of my stomach on a 3 course meal any day!

To get you into the Easter spirit, here are some scans of cartes postales anciennes that I’ve acquired through many hours of rifling through stacks of old papers at assorted vide greniers.

Vintage Easter French Postcards

Would you like some eggs?

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La Sardinade – A National Sardine Celebration

July 14, 2015 by ashleyt Leave a Comment

Bastille Day in Provence

July 14th is the National Holiday of France (Bastille Day). To celebrate, you would think that in the spirit of Liberté, égalité, fraternité all French people would celebrate this holiday in the same way. But in Provence, it’s la sardinade…

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Wine Tasting in Les Baux de Provence

June 12, 2015 by ashleyt 3 Comments

Les Baux de Provence Vineyards

Last weekend was the ‘portes ouvertes’ of the 12 vineyards that comprise the small appellation of AOC Les Baux de Provence. They were celebrating the 20-year anniversary of the creation of their small AOC. These vineyards are located next to some of the most stunning scenery. Just another excuse to taste their wines and olive oils…

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Picking Cherries in France

May 25, 2015 by ashleyt 5 Comments

La Cerise Curieuse: Blunders of Anglo-Saxons picking Cherries in France:

Expats Newly Arrived in Provence

Robin and I worked at a large property 2 years ago. The enormous gardens were abandoned and left to be engulfed by the wild Provençal countryside. The owners informed us that somewhere off the road there was an entire cherry orchard. Apparently, the trees that hadn’t bore fruit for years. In January, we found this mysterious orchard. It was made obvious by some nomadic shepherds who had roped it off as an enclosure for their donkeys. After a couple weeks, the donkeys moved on and we were distraught to see they had eaten all of the tender red bark off the bottom of the trees!! It was doubtfull that in Spring, we would be picking cherries.

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Foraging Wild Asparagus in Provence

April 5, 2015 by ashleyt 15 Comments

Foraging for wild asparagus has become one of my favourite springtime activities.

The first time I learned of wild asparagus was one morning during my first year in Provence when I noticed a couple women on the roadside slyly carrying small green bundles. They were peering into the tangle of weeds in the nearby ditch. I knew instantly that there was something I was missing out on.

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Apt Saturday Market- One of the Best?

March 21, 2015 by ashleyt 13 Comments

Is Apt Saturday Market one of the best?

The Saturday market in Apt has been labeled as a “marché d’exception français” (exceptional French market) due to it’s atmosphere, history, and originality. It’s also considered to be one of the top ten food markets in France. I had to see for myself…

Apt Market in Spring

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