Every Friday in December in the run up to Christmas, Ribérac holds its very own fat market at the local Salle Polyvalente. Fat here should not be taken lightly. When one can pay upwards of 60 euros for a family sized capon (a cock bird that loses its vital bits, I understand this is done to enable the bird to become more tender) you have to pay special care and attention to the material you cook it in. So, last Friday, Lesley and I decided it was time to organise our fat reserves for the Christmas Day lunch, and get ourselves down to the market. After a brisk walk across the square we arrived at the other side and the 'marché au gras fermier'.
The Salle Polyvalente at Ribérac in its latest guise
We moved up and down the rows of vendors admiring, well, all the fat. This is not quite true because there were other items of fresh meat produce available; ducks and their legs, capons as mentioned above, geese and the like. Business was intense and very considered. I could hear the finer points of foie gras being discussed, and looking at some of the prices I realised how seriously the French take the business of cooking over this festive season.
Down to the serious business
Finally after admiring everybodys proud display, Lesley and I stopped at the stall of M. et Mme Roland Gerbeaud. Monsieur et Madame hail from the nearby village of Villetoureix, which lies about 4 kilometres to the north-east of Ribérac. After much chin scratching we decided on 2 kilos of beautiful pure white goose fat. Not only will this allow us to roast our pintade, which is on order from the local butcher, it will also enable us to roast our accompanying roasties to absolute perfection. Bring it on!
The family Gerbeaud working their stall at the Salle Polyvalente in Ribérac
Come on in
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