Dolac (the market)

I went to Dolac, the central market in Zagreb, Saturday before last.  You get to the market from the central square, passing through the row of flower sellers.

Then you climb the steps up to the outdoor portion of the market where they sell mostly fruits and vegetables.  I say mostly, because there are nuts, cheeses, vinegars, oils and many other things.  Despite being late February, there seemed to be no shortage of fresh produce.  Much of it comes from Dalmatia where they grow year round.  My landlady, when I told her I had been to the market, cautioned me about buying from the vendors around the perimeter.  According to her, they are Dalmatians and charge too much.  

Weighing the Produce

After buying some apples, a bundle of root vegetables for soup, and .5 liter of pungent olive oil for 40 kuna ($8), I made my way, guided by a fellow Fulbrighter who had been there before, to the back left corner of the outdoor market.  There is the entrance to the top floor of the indoor portion of the market, which is devoted to fish.  The fish is freshest on Friday because of the traditional Friday night meal.  The fish is laid out on ice. Some of it is filleted but most is just as it came from the ocean.   

The floor below concentrates on poultry and the ground floor is meat and plenty of it.  Despite the fish and poultry floors, the area around Zagreb is all about meat, especially pork and sausage.  Fish and poultry are on the menu but tend to be more expensive.  I understand fish prevails on the coast.  Can't wait to find out. 

Each of the floors also has lots of other goodies.  There are stands selling bread, wine, pastries, chocolates, olives and more.  Everything is in open containers and tasting before buy is s.o.p.  The only problem I had at the market was buying more than I could possibly consume.  Thankfully, I don't have one of those half fridges.  As far as the market goes, this sums it up for me: