Refrigerators are smaller in Israel. Kitchens are smaller. There is less storage for everything, especially food. So some weeks I go to the open market - The Shuk - everyday. I love to go despite the crowds and despite the fact that there is always a struggle to get the attention of the person taking the money. Climbing over fellow patrons is a daily experience. Queues in Israel are horitizonal, not vertical.

 

After many years I have my favorites. I know who has the best hummus, who has the best peppers and where I can get limes that aren't really green lemons. I know who to avoid - who has packed their containers with old fruit at the bottom of the new fruit.

 

The best Shuk in Tel Aviv is located on a street Rehov HaCarmel. I have my favorite vendors who are now quite familiar with me. One stall in particular is known for its soundtrack. At any time of the day and on any day you can buy tomatoes and lettuce to the music of Otis Redding, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, The Animals. The workers all sing along. It is quite amusing.

 

I go there so often that they always "donate" old vegetables to me. Something that didn't sell yesterday or last week and is on its last legs, get thrown in with my purchases. 

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The Shuk never disappoints. I always leave feeling exhausted but inspired. 

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Recipes in this group grew spontaneously from my daily visits.