For months already, my mom has been trying to drag me to the Salcedo Saturday Market in Makati. Figuring it was just the same old Greenbelt Organic Produce Market, I always opted to sleep in instead.

Last week however, I read an article featuring the said Saturday Market and I was amazed. The myriad of food, both fresh and cooked was awesome. The pictures revealed the promise of droolworthy goodness and the wide array of ingredients had me all excited to experiment. After reading that article, it became apparent that the following Saturday, I was going to forsake my usual habit of sleeping in, seduced by the idea of delectable treats all together in one spot.

March 24, 2007. Saturday. All ready for our food odyssey, my mom and I drove to Makati from our residence in Cavite. My mom was armed with a large canvas bag for goodies. I had my trusty point and shoot, Natsume. Even our car was equipped with an ice chest, ready for the spoils of war. And war it was, we waged. The first of many Saturdays.

A parking lot during weekdays, it magically transforms into a collection of stalls, all filled with an assortment of food on Saturday mornings.

A lot of stalls sell ready made food. This one specializes in Filipino dishes that have Spanish roots, like Lengua and Osso Bucco.

An assortment of Filipino “deli” goodies. Itlog na Maalat (salted egg), Chicharon (fried pork rinds), Daing (smoked fish) and Achara (pickled veggies).

Spicy! A wide array of spices from all over.

Grilled seafood! Squid, Bangus (Milkfish), Hito (Catfish) and Lato (sea grape) salads in the styro containers.

These fish live! A basin of live fish and a tray of shellfish behind.

Who can resist biting into delectable lechon (roasted pig) from Cebu? Unlike other lechon, Cebu lechon is cooked in such a way that everything is flavorful. You don’t need lechon sauce to enjoy it, each little bit is perfect as it is.

Shawarma and kebabs. Yum!

More regional treats.

Instant Calamansi Powder for juices and marinade. Don’t they look cute in their little Calamansi-shaped containers?

Freshly made tofu! Healthy and interesting.

A selection of Quiches from an Italian-run booth.

Mountains of fresh organic produce.

Bagels of every kind and flavor. I took home a good selection.

Indian Food like curry and samosas. I love their hummus.

Delicious Paella! I absolutely loved the Paella Negra (Squid Ink Paella).
What a way to spend a Saturday. We left the Market at around 10, loaded with bags and bags of food. We had to pass up on some food, because there’s only so much the two of us could eat before it turns bad. It was all right because hey, there’s always other Saturdays.

Originally posted at:
http://kitchencow.livejournal.com/32688.html

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