Originally a Greek colony, Nice was under Italian rule until 1860, when through majority vote, it became part of France. There is no mistaking the Italian influence, from its' architecture and language to the ingredients and preparation of its' food. And if street food is any indication of the soul of a city, then that, too, is a unique experience here in this city by the Meditteranean Sea. From socca (chickpea pancake) to pissaladiere (carmelized onion tart) to tourte de blettes (swiss chard, bacon and rice pie), you can't help being intriqued by the simplicity, yet incredible taste of theses foods.
While walking through the markets one gets a clearer sense of the ingredients that are so uniquely Nicois and ever-present in the cuisine - olives and olive oils, eggplant, mushrooms, all things citrus, herbs. salts, spices, confitures (homemade jams), regional fruits and vegetables, etc, etc etc. I was like a child in a candy store - I wanted to buy some of everything. Believe it or not, of all the exciting sights, smells and tastes, my "aha moment" was the discovery of blue potatoes (I don't know how this one got past me). Can't you just imagine some blue mashed potatoes with your upcoming Thanksgiving dinner? No, I have not gone off the edge' but after my tour, I'm close! Suffice it to say that come spring, I will be looking for a lot of new exotic veggies to plant in my garden.
So, enjoy the photos; and look forward to several Nicois recipes over the next few weeks.
Fountain guarding the entrance to the "Old City of Nice"
Chef Rosa Jackson
Local variety of pumpkin
Nicois oranges, lemons and clementimes
Designation for "organic agriculture"
Heirloom tomatoes
Homemade confitures (jams)
Mountain mushrooms
Cannolis and local pastries
Candy made with quince fruit and nuts
Dates, dates and more dates
Quince - a pear-like fruit
Tomatoes - a much larger "roma" variety
Various olive oils
Nicois olives
Vanilla beans
Flavored sugars
Herbs
Salts
Spices