Market day in Castiglione del Lago

Wednesday is market day at Castiglione del Lago. These markets are more important than an Australian bush market or farmers' market because in the smaller places this is the only opportunity to shop for everyday necessities. In larger towns like CdL it still provides stalls with essentials such as linens, clothing, shoes, kitchen ware, garden supplies, food and even chemist needs. Castiglione del Lago is in the centre of a tourist area so shops also offer their wares to the market crowds.

We had a successful day shopping today, finding all the things we needed, and more. Porchetta, seasoned roasted whole pig, is a favourite in the area and at the markets you can buy a slice in a roll to eat immediatey or buy to take home, which we did.

Ready mixed pasta herbs & risotto mix, patriotic pasta, spoons made from olive wood, wild boar salami and truffles, the variety is endless.

There are also two very popular pasticcerie in the old town and we were tempted by a couple of items which we took down to the lakeside where we enjoyed a peaceful lunch. Yes, that is a generous serve of Nutella inside the small pastry!

Back home we admired our purchases - sweet and juicy peaches, pears & tomatoes and a salami with truffles, two shirts and our evening meal tonight, porchetta.

Each town has its own market day so you could spend your whole week going to markets without travelling far. Tavernelle has a Monday market and Panicale's is on Friday. Kelly is something of a market 'junkie' so expect to see more of the markets.