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COPENHAGEN FOOD AND COOKING FESTIVAL | TORVEHALLERNE MARKET, A TREASURE TROVE FOR FOODIES

Oct 27, 2017

“I am not a glutton – I am an explorer of food” – Erma Bombeck

 

I love food. One of the reasons I love travelling is being able to taste some impeccable dishes around the globe, made from fresh ingredients and using recipes passed down through generations. Usually, food markets are always on the top of my list of places to visit in any country, as this is where you are likely to find locals enjoying authentic local food. And believe me, this is by far one of the best I’ve ever experienced!

 

After a thrilling chef war experience, next morning I decided to take a tour of Torvehallerne, a lively and buzzing food market in the city centre of Copenhagen, located close to Norreport metro station. Close to the pristine lakes, it is the perfect place where you can sip the afternoon away at one of the wine vendors and grab a handful of delicious treats to witness the beautiful sight of sunset. In this market, you will find everything your heart (but especially your stomach) desires. The market has around 80 vendors selling fresh produce and not to mention several stands where you can dine-in, have a drink and shop around.

 

My dear friend Ratna Sahay came all the way from Sweden to be a part of my adventurous Copenhagen travelogue. Having studied hotel management during her graduation, Ratna also has a keen interest in knowing about variety of delicacies and their origin. Ratna and I grazed and shared food from multiple vendors. Definitely one of the best perks about having a travel partner!

 

While roaming around the market, we were amazed to see some of the exotic vegetables which we rarely find in India. Not only did I get to see different varieties, but I also adored the vibrant colours and sweet smells of each fruit and vegetable. The vendors were mostly the farmers themselves. Many chefs visit this market every morning to pick their own handful of local produce, as we told by the locals. Interesting, right?

Meanwhile, we met the chef of one of the finest restaurants in Copenhagen’s meat packing district, GORILLA. He was buying chanterelle mushrooms for a special pasta dish for his restaurant, recipe of which he generously shared with us.

 

The wide range of delicacies smelled wonderful as we made our way around the stands. We decided to stop at a stall to eat raspberries, as our stomach began to rumble. I still have the taste of fresh raspberries. In the same stand, there were six different varieties of mushrooms, including shiitake, oyster, chanterelle, button (which is most common in India) and biggest of all, Portobello.

 

Something that drew my attention was orange and purple cauliflower.

 

Fruits and vegetable stands had different varieties of tomatoes including Kellogg’s, plum, multi-coloured cherry tomatoes, among others.

 

Torvehallerne Farmer’s Market is definitely worth a visit to wander around and soak up all the pretty fruits, vegetables and other fresh produce on display.

This is not it! Experiences are meant for sharing, and my Copenhagen Travelogue has just begun. Stay tuned for another thrilling blog!