Every time I go back to Puglia, one of my usual stops is the food market in Brindisi. I just love it. Actually, I love markets as such as they always give you the perfect chance to get a glimpse of the local lifestyle, wherever you go.

Southern Italy boasts an incredible number of markets,  all of them  full of colours and variety. They are always a great place to find out what fruit and vegetables are in season, buy some fish which  arrives fresh from the nearest coast as well as some locally sourced meat.

Walking among the market stalls and looking at them through my camera lens.

Enjoying the colours, flavours and atmosphere. Thinking about my lunch.

And my dinner, actually.

Orange veggie touch, inevitable in my breakfast smoothie.

Turnip tops. Puglia’s signature.

How to smile like an Italian. With your heart first.

On looking beneath the surface of things. Hidden underground crunchiness and colour.

Who said I have to be white?

Playing ‘O Sole Mio’ in my head.

A bunch of delicacy.

Nope. Not an apple. You can slice and munch me like one though.

Thinking about spaghetti with mussels? Something to buy fresh. Chop, chop, chop.

Shiny silver treasure from the sea.

Someone who loves his job. Making this market even more special.

Poaching, broiling, grilling and frying. Always about fish.

Fishing for the right recipe?

Making people’s life in the kitchen a bit easier.

Cheap, quick to cook and delicious.

Someone loves to be different.

A little bit of each. Always in my pantry.

Why just selling them?

As good as an orange. Just pocket-size.

Not wild. Still very nice.

Purple beauties.

In Neruda’s words “The tender-hearted artichoke, dressed up as a warrior”.

And again “no pit, no husk, no leaves or thorns – the tomato offers its gift of fiery color and cool completeness

You can’t think of Puglia without thinking “olives”. You really can’t.

Before becoming a jam. Yes, a jam. Perfect with matured cheese.

Showing off a little bit.

Big, sweet, juicy.

Blended with Negramaro. Perfect bond in a glass.