The First Market. Hsinchu. Xinpu

喜歡逛市場嗎？市場是當地人們生活的縮影，是了解一個國度最好的方式，因此不管是在國內或是國外旅行，「逛當地市場」必定是我行程裡最重要的一項。台灣的傳統市場相當多，但仍然有著濃濃古早味的市場，要屬新埔的第一市場了。

Do you like to shop in a traditional farmer market? A traditional market reflects how local people live. Shopping in the farmer market is the best way to get acquainted with the local life. When traveling in Taiwan or other countries, “strolling through the traditional market” is on my priority list. There are many traditional markets in Taiwan; however, the First Market in Xinpu has always kept the most traditional way.

從鎮上的主街轉入，順著小巷步行，便可以看到一連數家的傳統農具店，琳瑯滿目的擺滿了斗笠、漁網、蝦籠、竹籮筐及各種鋤具，還有很多根本沒見過，也叫不出名字的新鮮玩意兒，對於生活在都市的我來說，著實新鮮有趣。

Following the small alley on the main street, a variety of the traditional tool shops stood in line and filled with bamboo hats, fishing nets, shrimp cages, bamboo baskets and all kinds of hoes. There were many others interesting items I couldn’t even tell their names because I had mainly lived in the city.

「絲瓜絡與葫蘆瓢」(Luffa scrubber and Gourd dipper)

早期，人們會將絲瓜曬乾，留下網狀纖維，拿來洗刷鍋碗瓢盆；而將葫蘆曬乾剖半挖空，拿來當作水瓢，沒想到現在還可以見得到呢！

In early years of Taiwan, local residents would air-dry Luffa. The reticular fibers could be used to scrub the pots and pans. They also air-dried the gourd and made it hollow in the center for a water dipper. It surprised me that they still exist today.

新埔是一個純樸且頗為傳統的客家小鎮，因此在市場裡可以見到一應俱全的客家米食與小吃。

Xinpu is a very small and traditional town that offers a complete menu of Hakka food and snacks.

「水粄」（Hakka Rice Cake)

水粄，是我小時候很愛吃的一種客家米食，有甜與鹹兩種口味。白色的為鹹口味，吃的時候會加上絞肉、蘿蔔乾及豆干等餡料，再淋上醬油。褐色的為甜口味，滑溜軟嫩的，相當好吃。

Hakka Rice Cake is my childhood snack with a sweet and salty flavor. The white rice cake can be served by adding ground pork, chopped dried white radish, and soy sauce on top. The brown rice cake is a sweet dessert, very soft and tasty.

「桔醬」(Kumquat sauce)

桔醬是客家人頗具代表性的一種沾醬，用金桔做成的，酸中帶甜，香氣十足，通常是食用雞、鴨與豬等肉類時，沾著吃的。

Kumquat sauce is a very typical dipping sauce for Hakka dishes. It is made with Kumquat. The sauce is a bit sweet and sour and used as dipping pork, chicken and duck dishes.

「煙腸」(Smoked sausage)

客家煙腸和香腸不太一樣，是用地瓜粉與醃過的後腿豬肉做成的。吃的時候，切成一段段，配上老闆自製的甜辣醬，當作冷盤食用。

Hakka smoked sausage is a bit different than the regular sausage. The pork is marinated in sweet potato powder. When sliced and paired with the homemade sweet and spicy sauce, it can be served as a cold dish.

老實說，煙腸看起來有些可怕，但吃起來味道不錯，有點嚼勁，咬一口會有滿滿的肉香。

Be honest, the smoked sausages look a bit scary; however, they taste very good, a bit chewable with great flavor.

「賣豆花的小攤」 Tofu Pudding street vendor

和台灣大部份的傳統市場不太一樣，第一市場裡大多都是農家挑著晨間剛摘採下來的新鮮蔬果前來販售，一個人一小攤，菜色種類不多、數量也都有限，但因為都是自家栽種，吃不完再拿出來賣，不用擔心農藥殘留問題，讓人可以安心的採買。

Unlike the traditional market, The First Market has the freshest vegetables just picked and brought here directly from home by the farmers. Because they were home grown, selection and amount were very limited. They were safe to eat since there were no pesticide residues.

這時，正值洛神花產季，也只有在這樣的鄉間，才有機會看得到新鮮的洛神花。洛神花可以做成蜜餞及果醬，也可以曬乾來泡茶，雖然不知道怎麼做，但還是忍不住向老伯伯買了一些。

Roselle is blooming at this time of the year. Fresh Roselle is only available in this market. Roselle can be made into dried snack and paste. They can also be made as Roselle Tea. I bought a few from this elderly.

這裡的人相當熱情，除了很樂意與人攀談外，看到我這個外地客提著不熟悉的食材經過，還會把我攔下主動的指導烹調方式。這個市場裡特有的人情味，讓人印象十分深刻呢！

People here are so enthusiastic and hospitable. They knew I was from out of town; they started to chat with me and teach me how to cook. I was so impressed with this unique warm touch. Read More