Slow Food Market Returns to Zürich
Tables and tables of “slow food” approved products once again filled the Messe event space in Zürich. Recognizable by its logo of a snail, Slow Food continues its mission of “good, clean and fair” (bon, propre et juste / gut, sauber und fair), promoting food that satisfies the senses, is environment-friendly, health-friendly too, is at prices both accessible to consumers and fair to workers, and most of all, is fresh, local and delicious !
It was a true feast for the eyes and taste buds at the inaugural Slow Food Market in 2011, when I discovered (and tasted !) so many new products from various regions of Switzerland. One year later, some of those items are now cupboard staples in my home. So back to the market I went to see what other delicious finds I would make, with my eye on the sweet stands, but of course.
(above, clockwise from top left: Melchior Schoch of Käserei Berghof; traditional Swiss bricelets from Les Gourmandises de Fribourg; cookies made with Farina bona, toasted corn flour from Ticino; Posamentertörtli, plum tart from Fribourg)
My very favorite taste of all, to no surprise, was chocolate. Dark chocolate. With salt. (Predictable, I know.) I’m a big fan of Pakka’s assorted nuts, in attractive, colorful packaging that we see in shops and cafés around Zürich. But I had never tasted Pacari chocolate, an organic brand from Ecuador that Pakka distributes throughout Switzerland as well. Their dark chocolate with Peruvian Cuzco pink salt and cacao nibs combined everything I enjoy in a bar, including the contrasts of sweet/salty and smooth/crunchy. I’ll be on the lookout for that around town from now on…
(above, clockwise from top left: Tobias Joos of Pakka; Pacari chocolate; Martin Schwarz of Nobile Cioccolato; Felchlin cocoa beans)
And of course, most of my time was spent laughing with Res Jordi (below, bottom right), owner of La Boîte à Nougat/Chesettas Mountain. Our friendship and my obsession with his artisanal French nougat began at last year’s Slow Food Market, and I still can’t get enough of his mint chocolate nougat (made with Valrhona dark chocolate). The assortment of flavors is truly impressive, and if you have an adventurous palate, you can taste nougat in such flavors as curry/rice, melon, tomato/olive, orange/cinnamon or with a special Christmas blend of spices.
My sweet tooth aside, the market was certainly not lacking in savory options, cheese stands being quite predominant, even including a couple of bubbling pots of fondue inviting passersby with forks and pieces of bread. There were spirits, spices, coffees, teas, dried fruits, dried meats and even dried fish. Truly something for everyone.
But what each and every stand had in common was loyalty to the principles that make the Slow Food movement what it is, promoting “the concept of neo-gastronomy, recognition of the strong connections between plate, planet, people and culture.”
For those of you who went to the 2nd annual Slow Food Market, what was the highlight for you ?
Anything exceptional you tasted there ?
Tags: Cheese, Chocolate, La Boîte à Nougat, nougat, Slow Food Market, Sweet, Switzerland, Zürich
November 16th, 2012 at 16:55
Trying all the cheeses is always fun and tasty. But my highlights this year were Nobile chocolate (dark with raspberry and passion fruit), the Mausacker juices and artichokes from Italy.
November 17th, 2012 at 17:04
Oh my gosh. I wish I’d been there. That nougat, those cheeses… heaven!
November 19th, 2012 at 17:27
So glad that the nougat man is going strong – it’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since you introduced us to his sweet treats:)
Also glad that you got to try out Pacari!
November 20th, 2012 at 23:07
Wow, I wish we had one of those markets in Sao Paulo… Have to check, but really doubt it! Organic food is very new here… not sure about slow food…
I bet you had a wonderful time!
November 22nd, 2012 at 23:55
Juliana, mmm delicious favorites ! I’m a big fan of Nobile chocolate; have you tasted their dark chocolate bar with crunchy nougatine and sea salt ? Love that bar, I featured it in a previous roundup if you want to see: http://mykugelhopf.ch/2011/06/chocolate-roundup-8/
wandering educators, that is heaven indeed – both sweet and savory and delicious for everyone ! 😉
Emma, wow, it has been a year… oh so much has certainly happened since then, incredible – and only getting sweeter and sweeter every day. You’re a fan of Pacari ? Any other bars of theirs I should try ?
barbara, definitely had a wonderful time, obrigada ! Not sure about Slow Food being present in Brazil, but Sao Paulo is certainly a hot city in the food world these days, tons of restaurant openings and exciting developments, no ? Aproveite ! 🙂
April 18th, 2013 at 16:34
What a fantastic market, I knew people who were there with their pecorino cheese and wine, they are Swiss but live and own a farm in the Pienza countryside in Tuscany. They are called Podere Il Casale, really a great place to stay at if you ever travel that way.
I want to visit Zurich some day, I have vague memories of it from when I was a child. All I remember really is water, a boat and a giant chess game in the street.
My parents named me after the patron saint of Zurich so I feel I should visit her statue – there aren’t any Regula’s around here you know 😉
April 20th, 2013 at 06:04
Regula, what a wonderful surprise to read your comment here. And what fun that you know a few artisans who were at the market. I will certainly look up that farm, thank you so much for sharing !
And of course you must visit Zürich again one day… to see the lake, the boats and the chess games up on Lindenhof 😉 And most of all, as Regula ! You won’t be the only Regula here though, that’s for sure ;)) Hope to show you the sweetest places around one day…