A Trip to the Central Market
Heading to the central market in any part of the world is a wonderful way to learn about the local cuisine. There you will find the most common fruits and vegetables, meats, fish, spices and herbs used in everyday life. Central Market in Port Louis, Mauritius, is no exception.
When we entered the market, it was swarming with people who were buying their fresh food for the day. The sights and sounds of the people going about their business was loud and joyful. The market itself, a city block.
The first thing I noticed when we walked in were the tiny little pineapples I learned about, called Victoria Pineapples. They are cute, little, miniature pineapples and the sweetest most amazing flavor I have ever tasted. It is my understanding that Mauritius is one of the few places in the world where these small pineapples grow.
The second thing I noticed was how absolutely fresh and vibrant the fruits and vegetables looked; sort of like the best of Whole Foods Market. Growing comes easy in Mauritius as they get a good amount of rainfall and the volcanic soil is remarkably fertile. As a result, they eat very well here in Mauritius and their diet contains a healthy abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables.
One item I did not know, ended up being a Chinese cucumber; a white large one. It is funny now that I think about it. We actually grew these in our International Cuisine garden and just thought there was something wrong with them because they were so large and did not turn green. Evidently we bought Chinese, white cucumber plants without realizing it. Live and learn. They taste similar to a regular cucumber but the seeds are a bit larger.
Chinese cucumbers standing at attention.
For the dessert, as I promised, Banana Beignets won the contest. It is made with small, sweet bananas from the central market. It’s a delicious treat, quick and easy to make, Mauritius’ style.
Banana Beignets
We have enjoyed the beautiful, island nation of Mauritius and I will share additional content about their street food, the Indian temple, the glorious botanical gardens and more. I have been having trouble finding a good internet connection so I can post highlights on the web site. But I’ll keep trying. You can also follow me on Facebook under Darlene Longacre as I have been posting photos along the way.
Here are a few more pictures of the market place:
If you would like to learn more about Mauritius plus get some delicious recipes click here
We have moved on to Zanzibar, where we first explored two days in Stone Town and are now in the astonishingly, beautiful village of Jambiani. This small, fishing village is right on the Indian Ocean. The colors of the water are too spectacular to describe with words, so here is a picture for you.
Warmest regards,
Darlene
The pictures of the market produce are beautiful. So clean and organized, its inviting and interesting what is grown in the area. I didn't know much about Mauritius, and after reading your post, I learned about the history and foods. thanks for sharing!