Where to find and buy local food

Some 10 or 15 years ago (when we didn't have supermarkets and malls) people found mainly local (Romanian) food in markets. In summer farmers traveled to our Cluj markets  from other regions to bring vegetables and fruit that didn't grow in our region. People cooked and ate products which were "in season".

Things have changed now. We can buy exotic products, tasteless tomatoes and Peruvian apples all year round. Local authorities don't encourage local farmers very much and half the markets are full of imported vegetables and stuff. There are some local farmers which sell their products in the market and there are still many people who choose to buy only local vegetables because they taste better. You can buy local vegetables, fruit, dried fruit, jam, pickles, dairy products, eggs and traditional meat products. There are small markets in each neighborhood, but the biggest is Leul Market in Piata Mihai Viteazul (farmers are close to the back entrance).

During spring and summer there is a Saturday local farmers' market near Republica Cinema in Piata Mihai Viteazul every two weeks, or you can stop at farmers' gates in the surrounding villages (e.g Apahida), they will be happy to sell you fresh vegetables and fruit (they usually keep samples at the gates if they want to sell). You can also buy traditional and local products from Christmas, Easter markets or fairs in the city center.

Finomsag Fair - Slow Food Fair in Cluj

We attended the Finomsag Fair (Slow Food Fair*), and we finally understood what finomsag (Hungarian word) means. Delicatessen!




We enjoyed the cheese with pepper and basil, the syrup of fir bud, homemade chocolate and some slices of smoked sausage.



Of course, we couldn't resist to a huge palanet (flat cake made from bread dough) with cheese and another one with cabbage.

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On the way home I saw another finomsag. Four bottles of cheery brandy were lying in the sun.




INVITATION: Join Transilvania Fest, between July 30 and August 1, in Biertan, near Sibiu.

Slow Food Fair in Cluj

Do you remember cooking with granny traditional delicatessen? Whatever the answer is you are all invited to enjoy a true Transylvanian gastronomy experience at Finomsaguri Fair.

This Saturday, starting 9 am, at Transylvanian Ethnographic Museum*, you'll have the pleasure to taste traditional cookery, bread, cheese, smoked meat, juice, fresh vegetables, pickles, honey, wine, tea, jam.


Old habits die hard!

 * Address: 21, Memorandumului Street

Cabbage and Pod House in Cluj

Today, we had our lunch at "Cabbage and Pod House" on 37 Eroilor Street. They have only 7 tables inside but there is extra space outside, on the terrace.

When we stepped in I had the feeling of going back in time. The place looks like during my childhood and this was a good sign! They still have the "banner" on the mirror but the rabbit is not there anymore (les connaiseurs know what rabbit I'm talking about).

 

Of course we ordered the specialty of the house. No, no, it has nothing in common with Alfred Hichcock, it was just a very tasty portion of  "Cabbage a la Cluj" (Cabbage from Cluj).

As for dessert we had an enormous Vargabeles, a Hungarian "noodle pie" with sour cream, eggs, raisins and sugar.

So...today we run with the hare and hunt with the hounds!

Price list:
Cabbage a la Cluj (300 g) = 7.5 RON
Vargabeles (200 g) = 4 RON