Mercado dos Lavradores - Funchal Farmers Market

The Farmers Market

We set off for Mercado dos Lavradores - the Farmers Market, by bus, which saved the feet as we knew it would be a long day with heaps of walking.

Fruit, vegetables,  flowers, embroidery, local woodware ...all were piled high on stalls set around the edge of the building with the fruit in the middle, beautifully displayed. There was an abundance of tropical fruits.

I was surprised at the amazing array of different passionfruit varieties and even more surprised to see tamarillos – which are grown in New Zealand, originating from South America, but are rarely seen in other countries. Passionfruit, and other tropical fruits were prepared ready to be sampled. They scooped out the fruit and presented samples in the shells.....but unfortunately they had added sugar so it was rather sweeter then it should have been. Tamarillo can be tart although, we would usually eat both passionfruit and tamarillo with no added sugar.

Off to the side was a large room for the fish market. You could watch them preparing the fish and people buying in an auction process.

Traditional Dancing and Music

This was also a good place to ensure you got to see some local Madeira dancing and music. Performers dressed in National costume demonstrated their skills, while the musicians played accordions, ukuleles.....did you know they originate from Portugal? Guitars, Drums etc.

A lady sat demurely doing  traditional Madeira embroidery and lother ladies again in National costume, sold bunches of flowers both inside the market and out on the street. Blue and White Agapanthus, alstromeria, carnations, hydrangeas, dahlias. Just beautiful.

We enjoyed a coffee and then an iced coffee.....in the Market Cafe, tho the price was a shock.....we decided it would have to be lunch!