Souk el Tayeb

Yesterday we went to Souk el Tayeb, Beirut's first Farmer's Market. It's been going on several years already. "Souk" means market and "Tayeb" means good. So yes. Market of Goodness. And it truly was. Although average-sized for a farmer's market, the fare was out. of. town.

Just standing here spinning some honey in my centrifuge.  Oh by the way, we have a special honey made from the Cedars of Lebanon.  (P.S. It was crazy good).

Fall produce.  Also some olives - tree to market.

These tasted as good as they look.  (the whole wheat turnovers & the comely olives).

Bread Republic bran muffin.  I want to go to there.

There were lots of organic vendors, and all of the prepared food was distinctly Middle Eastern. Lots of jars of pickled things and yummy cheeses, fresh za'taar, Lebanese wine, turnovers stuffed with local produce, kibbeh, fresh squeezed juices (lemon, orange, carrot), dried figs and so on and so forth. It was a very enjoyable experience, I think partially because it felt so much like a Saturday morning back home. But it was also really good to see farmers and artisans gathering together to celebrate good, local food in a really urban space (near the port right on the ocean) in what has been a very war-torn country.