A Morning at the Market

There is just nothing like having a fridge full of fresh fruits and veggies! We've been kind of going through a bit of a slump lately when it comes to cooking around here, and I think it is safe to say we are both ready for a break from our normal daily diet of coffee, sandwiches, ramen soup, and quesadillas.
While I was at rehearsal this morning, Jay went out to the market with our friends/neighbors. They returned with tons of fresh fruit, vegetables, spices, and fish. By the port of Manaus near the river, there is a huge outdoor market that has rows and rows of stalls with vendors selling all sorts of food. I had only passed through there a few times before on our way to take a boat trip and remember having to hold my breath from the stench of meat, fish, and vegetables all in one place. According to Jay, the market wasn't stinky this time and was "bustling with energy." I'm guessing it helps to avoid the area that is stacked high with slabs of beef and pork and whatever miscellaneous meat products they have available.
Anyway, he came back with watermelon, bananas, apples, oranges, limes, mangos, lettuce, carrots, squash, green bean-ish things, onions, chives, avocado, tomatoes, kale-ish thing, eggplant, and a couple veggies I have never seen before. Plus, he got some fresh fish (on the menu for dinner tonight) and lots of bulk spices. All in all, it was a great adventure for Jay with his portuguese and has already been a much-needed inspiration to us in the kitchen!!!

A small assortment of our bounty

The bananas came on the stalk, and we have both

little red ones and yellow ones. 

How exotic, right?!