Urban Rambles: Jean-Talon Market

I'm not one for shopping, except when it comes to bookstores or markets. There are two major markets in Montreal, Jean-Talon and Atwater. I live closer to Atwater, so I can often be found perusing its stalls, but on this rare holiday Friday, a friend and I made the trek to Little Italy with one mission: zeppole. From the finest Italian bakery in the city, no less.

A good half-hour wait on this Good Friday brought us to the counter at Alati Caserta, and the rows upon rows of cannoli, sfogliatelle, amaretti, and biscotti. And, of course, our beloved zeppole, with a choice of traditional or al forno. Zeppole are made every year for the Italian holiday of San Giuseppe, technically on March 19th, but here in North American it usually extends till Easter. I got two of the al forno, stuffed with ricotta creme and powdered with icing sugar, and two types of sfogliatelle, pistachio and nutella.

Then it was a short walk to Jean-Talon market, where dozens of artisans sold their wares, from fresh produce to cured meats, fish, coffees, teas, spices--a foodie wonderland.

The apples looked as ripe as if they were fresh from the fall harvest. (left)

There were desserts aplenty, but the most French of delicacies, macarons, caught my eye. (right)

 My fellow Cheesemongers will probably ooh and ahh at the display to the left, a counter that specialized in ewe cheeses. I got a fresh, grassy chevre-like round.

And of course, it wouldn't be a Canadian market without at least 10 maple syrup vendors, in all colors and consistencies. I picked up a bottle for my Easter pancakes, and to make vinaigrettes and savory spice rubs.

If you're ever in Montreal, don't miss the best kind of shopping and noshing in Little Italy and the Jean-Talon market!