The covered market

For those who live in Rimini, the covered market is a point of reference. There are those who use it to provide information and those who use it to shop for zero-kilometer raw food.

I go there to capture moments of popular comedy, instead.

Actually, the first time I went in to buy some vegetables, I came across Marco, a farmer, and I realized I was doing something wrong.

«Hello, I’de like some tomatoes, please.»

«Good morning, which ones would you like? As you can see, I have many varieties.»

«I don’t know, one is as good as another.» I never said that…

«Oh no, lady, look closely please… do they all look the same?»

Yup! They all looked the same to me! But I was afraid that if I told you that, you’d make me red like them, so I nodded, as if to say: Nay.

Marco began to tell me the story of each of his tomatoes, from the type of cultivation, shape, taste, use and in the meantime a line of people had formed behind me, waiting for their turn.

“Lady, tell him what tomatoes do you want please! I’ve been waiting for half an hour.” Shouts a man from the bottom of the line.

«Ok ok! I think I’ll have… some salad. I’dd like this one here curly, green, very good. Maybe the tomatoes another time huh?!»

Yes, because the covered market is a genuine place and the direct farmers on the scales also put their passion, dedication and effort into reaping the “fruits”. A balance that, however, won’t lean in favor of mere gain, but of the awareness of what you are putting on the table.

So if you happen to pass by Marco or Paolo, but also by Giovanna or Luisa… I recommend not asking anything. If you are unfamiliar with the varieties of that vegetable, focus on quality. Get the best advice!

And, especially, take: some time, a fan (to let the redness pass), a notebook to take notes. Because then, the gentlemen behind you, will want to copy them.

After all, the land of tomatoes is always the land of tomatoes (a song by an Italian band called “Elio e le storie tese”). Or maybe it was some persimmons…!