For some reason, in the first couple months of being here I was a bit skeptical at the prospect of any change in the offerings of my local wet markets. As if China, because it didn’t observe Daylight Savings, also didn’t change its agricultural output!?
But as February turned into March, and small oblong mangoes that fit in the small of your palm replaced the tiny cartons of strawberries (yes, strawberries were abundant in January- how crazy does that seem!), my fear of a non-changing market has slowly evaporated. Just this past week, I’ve noticed more new produce springing up at my favorite vendors. Stalks of asparagus the size of carrots, and vines of a leafy plant that might be bay leaves sold by the branch, all over the place (I plan to inquire about this bay-leaf-I’m hoping it’s basil-plant on my next trip).
Tomatoes and cucumbers have been at the markets since I’ve been here, and they’re still holding their place along the scallions, chives, daikon, corn, red onions (not a yellow onion for miles) and chinese celery. I’ve gotten used to cooking with the vegetables that have been available so far, and am certainly looking forward to the new crops of goodies that are waiting to be revealed!
And now for your viewing pleasure, a fish-bludgeoning scene from the market, fit for a fish horror flick:
