Ottawa, Canada: Amazing Colours at the Outdoor Market in ByWard Market

Markets for some reason make me happy and this is why I keep going to market places whenever I travel. I really go out of my way to visit them. I feel like I am entering my zen zone when I am in the midst of a farmerâ€™s market. Seriously.

Speaking of Food and Farmerâ€™s Market, I have 85 blog entries to date filed under this category. Wow, I have been to so many markets, that is impressive. There is no stopping me from exploring more markets around the world =)

Arenâ€™t they all so cute and orderly in those small box containers?

So this is one very basic thing I have learned in life. Go do whatever makes you happy. That simple. So yes, I will definitely continue checking out the markets =)

I actually have 2 posts for the ByWard Market in Ottawa and I will start with the Outdoor Market, simply because this really gave me the chin up and a smile to my lips. The colours of this market are fabulous, they are like sunshine, so bright and lively. I have never seen a market that is so well organised, in the sense that the fruits and vegetables are all portioned well and are ready for picking. The agri-food vendors showcase them in cute small baskets which makes them so inviting and easy to to pick up. It is all about packaging and marketing huh.

Thereâ€™s lots of maple stuff here at the market as well. I was quite tempted to buy some maple syrup but never managed to. My friend in Montreal, Pat, gifted me a bottle before I left. So yeah, I did eventually end up with a maple syrup bottle in my luggage on my way back to Amsterdam.

For visitors to Ottawa, this farmerâ€™s market is a nice place to buy some fruits that you can take on the go as a snack or bring back to your hotel. This is also a much cheaper option for buying those maple stuff souvenirs than at the malls and souvenir shops where they are obviously overpriced.

To give you an idea of the location of ByWard in Ottawa:

Walk from Parliament Hill to ByWard Market area which comprises a few blocks and streets. It also has a main market building with indoor shops and eateries which I will blog about on my next coming posts.

The Outdoor Market is open all year-round, even during bad weather they said, except on 2 special days, Christmas and New Years Day.

I will let you in a secret. I actually eat green asparagus raw. Earlier though for dinner, I sauteed them with garlic and green peas, but rather quickly.

The technicolour carrots are so stunning!!! These are perfect to roast in the oven. Sprinkle a bit of salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme. Then squeeze a bit of lemon to serve. Yum!

This is the first time I have seen this snaky garlic scape.

Maple tarts people! But sugar tarts? Just plain sugar? I do not like too sweet desserts and the idea of making a tart from just sugar make my tastebuds go sour.