A belated postcard from my beloved Southern coast where the sea breeze has just started to smell of spring, the flowers have opened up to celebrate March and International Women’s Day, and sea urchin season led to the famous village tradition of the oursinade in the town port.
Urchin is an acquired taste, for sure, but once you connect with it, the briny sweetness is fairly addicting.
As spring weather still tries to figure itself out, the sunsets are bright and bursting with color over the sea.
The flower market is also full of the pastels of spring – ranunculus are so magical.
And the patisserie windows hold many delights, as ever.
Mom’s birthday tart, baked with golden grapes and plums, made a great finish touch.
I hope your mother had a lovely birthday…I know she was glad that you could share it with her. I agree with you about ranunculus but I’ll pass on the sea urchins. 🙂
haha like I said, it’s an acquired taste! Thank you so much, Karen.
Happy birthday to your mother! Your photos are absolutely gorgeous. I’ve always thought ranunculus look like they’ve sprung straight from the pages of a story book.
Thank you so much! I agree – they look like those mystical flowers you may draw as a child.
Hope your mother enjoyed her cake, it looks lovely. And had a great birthday, of course.
Thank you very much, Nadia!
Oh wow, I’ve never eaten a sea urchin. They looks pretty intimidating, to be honest! I like your description, ‘briny sweetness’ actually sounds pleasant (do you just eat them straight out of the shell with a spoon?!). A belated happy birthday to your momma (gorgeous cake!) and I hope that you have a warm and blessed Easter! xx
yes, you scoop them right out with a spoon – the roe is ever so delicate. Happy Easter, lovely! xx
That looks like a wonderful birthday tart! Hope your mom’s birthday was happy and I’m sure having you there made it so. I’ve eaten sea urchin once and it was good but still haven’t acquired a taste for it. Fun to look at though. I haven’t seen ranunculus in such a long time…very much a sign of spring!
One of my favorite signs of spring, that’s for sure, Betsy! Thank you for your kind words.
I first tasted sea urchin in college – it was probably 1977, and I had to spit it into my napkin. It is the only food that I have ever spat out. What made it worse was that I was on a date. I’ve been told that I need to give them another try. And we were just in Provence last October but never came across them! So next time!!!
It’s a seasonal thing there, so perhaps they are not available in the autumn! I don’t think I would have enjoyed them as much, say, 10 years ago – my tastes have also definitely changed 🙂