Stories of the Zillertal tradition

Indulgence in abundance at the

Farmers´ market

Everyone knows, at the latest once the market stalls have been set up and stocked with regional, delicious, practical and pretty products: today we’ll see each other at the Zillertal farmers’ market.

The early worm lured us out of bed at dawn. Or to put it better – little Lieselotte. She’s been looking forward to the Zillertal farmers’ market for days. The shopping basket is ready to grab quickly and if we didn’t know the way to the
marketplace, our senses would get us there. Our eyes, ears and nose are working overtime. There is so much to see, hear and smell that they’re struggling to decide where to take us. This mixture of music, voices, fragrances and good spirits – so wonderful. The industrious market traders stand proudly behind their stalls and present their products from local agriculture and in-house production.

Regional products

First of all, we decide to get a lay of the land – the range of regional products is so vast. And so we immediately check out the wide variety of freshly harvested fruits, herbs and vegetables. We learn how carefully they have been grown and harvested in lively conversations and even exchange recipes. “For apple strudel it’s best to use Braeburn, Boskop or Elstar apples,” the lady behind the stall tells us, putting a kilogramme of Boskop apples into the paper bag. “We picked these fresh this morning,” she says, handing them over and wishing us good luck with our baking. At other market stalls, we can see in just how many different ways the harvested delicacies can be refined and processed: jams, juices, jellies, chutneys, pasta, herbal salts, schnapps and liqueurs represent the wealth of ideas from market traders. The love put into this work can be clearly seen from the hand-labelled jars and bottles.

How much time and expertise has been put into each individual product can only be guessed at, because the producers rarely clock in and out. “After all, it’s the result that counts,” we learn – and the result is delicious. And so we sample our way through the regional delicacies: freshly baked bread, homemade butter, alpine cheese, bacon, sausages, smoked fish and much more. “If you enjoyed it, you can visit us at our farm shop,” smiles the farmer, handing us her business card. A great idea, because the freshly baked bread will soon be polished off.

“The culinary offer at the market is
complemented with freshly
cooked traditional dishes.”
 

In addition to the many delicacies, the market also offers a lovely selection of handicrafts. Sewing work, tastefully crafted decorations, jewellery and many other unique creative pieces can be found at the stalls. Here, too, we can immediately see how proud the sellers are, because the artists themselves are usually standing at the market stall, touting their works. New commissioned works are continuously created during the market day, because unique pieces express a special form of appreciation – towards the artist and the recipient. The relaxed atmosphere unites gourmets and lovers of authentic, regional products.

Treat all your senses

At the benches and tables we sit down and listen to the young musicians, who add harmonious sounds to the beautiful feeling of togetherness. In typical spirited Zillertal style, they play their repertoire and encourage others to sing along – just like their great role models. A nice man also comes up and asks if we’d like some food and drink. “Today we have ‘Kiachl’,” we learn and order the Zillertal delicacy – first with sauerkraut and later again with cranberry jam, because
that’s Lieselotte’s favourite. A shopping spree like this certainly makes you hungry. And so we let it end indulgently – in a great mood and with regional delicacies.

Autumn is a time to indulge

Feasts and enjoyment are particularly celebrated during the golden season in Zillertal. There are many reasons for this. First and foremost, the gratitude for a beautiful summer farming period, the associated cattle drive and the joy of a rich harvest, which is processed, distilled and cooked in a variety of ways. The fruits of the harvest are enjoyed with family and dear friends with stories being told around the table and one or two musicians taking out their instruments. And thus with singing and celebrating to their heart’s content.

Images: Manfred Haun and text: Barbara Schneeberger
Zillertal Magazine Year-Round Edition 02

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