| In previous articles on traditional French food we have | | | | abundance of salads and fruit based dishes. |
| looked at what is really meant by both 'traditional' and | | | | Not only is this because they are refreshing but the |
| 'French food', since many common assumptions | | | | fruits and vegetables are abundant in most parts of |
| surrounding gourmet food from France seem to be | | | | the country, and are often very affordable. The view |
| somewhat inaccurate. | | | | by many retailers and greengrocers is that it is rather |
| Not only is there no such thing as an all-encompassing | | | | preferable to sell fruits and vegetables that are in |
| concept of what might be referred to as traditional | | | | season at a price that's low than watch perfectly |
| French food, at least, not by the French, but even the | | | | good food begin to rot. |
| suggestion that food in France is entirely French, | | | | Therefore you'll be able to enjoy these healthy, |
| lacking any outside influences, is wholly wrong. | | | | nutritious and delicious dishes almost anywhere at |
| The geography of France varies enormously, and with | | | | prices that are very affordable. |
| several close neighbours there have been influences | | | | Towards the end of the summer though the emphasis |
| from several other countries, including Germany and | | | | shifts, and you'll start to find many more dishes being |
| Spain. So the concept of traditional French food is | | | | served that incorporate mushrooms in one form or |
| rather more complex, and any journey through the | | | | another. Typical French food dishes that include |
| country will necessarily involve discovering varying | | | | mushrooms tend to be stews, and so towards the end |
| ideas surrounding what is traditional and what is best. | | | | of the summer, beginning of the autumn, look out for |
| However, it is not just the geography or the influence | | | | mushroom based stews as these will be at their very |
| of neighbouring countries which characterises what | | | | best. |
| many consider to be traditional French cuisine, and | | | | Traditionally September witnesses the start of the |
| there is yet another factor which has enormous | | | | hunting season in France, and this runs all the way |
| influence as far as what you might expect to eat in | | | | through the winter until around February. It is for this |
| various parts of the country - and it is the season. | | | | reason that if you're on the lookout for traditional |
| Seasonal changes can cause distinct differences in | | | | French food the order of the day is likely to be game. |
| gourmet food opportunities across the country, more | | | | Many of the dishes become celebrations of the |
| so than perhaps in many other countries, including the | | | | success of the hunt, and can often become quite |
| UK. | | | | elaborate, and certainly worth experiencing. |
| These days we tend to become rather out of touch | | | | As the ice melts and spring begins the fare changes |
| as far as the seasons are concerned, with | | | | once again, and the late winter early spring period is |
| supermarkets stocking food and ingredients all the | | | | when shellfish are at their very best. Take a trip |
| year round, when previously we might only have been | | | | towards the coast where they tend to specialise in |
| able to buy them during one particular season. With | | | | seafood dishes, and if you time this correctly to |
| cheap flights and international supply chains we are | | | | coincide with the start of the shellfish season you'll be |
| now able to buy strawberries in the winter and think | | | | amazed at the quality of such things as oysters. |
| very little of it. | | | | In addition to being at their best you'll also find that |
| However, if we are to consider traditional French food | | | | certain shellfish are only available at this time, as for |
| then it will be important to take into account the | | | | example crayfish cannot be caught out of season as |
| seasons, and the impact these have traditionally had | | | | it is actually illegal to do so. |
| on the recipes, ingredients and dishes served across | | | | So if you are looking for what can truly be called |
| various parts of the country. | | | | traditional French food it is necessary to consider both |
| Whichever season you choose for your visit to | | | | the geographical influences as well as the seasonal |
| sample some of the finest French food on offer you'll | | | | influences which affect both what may be on offer, |
| find some of the best gourmet food delicacies on | | | | and its quality. Time it right, and you'll experience |
| offer. Plan your visit during the summer months as | | | | gourmet food at its very best. |
| many invariably do and you'll be likely to find an | | | | |