Marché Jean-Talon, in the quarter called Little Italy, is where farmers from the areas around Montréal come to flog their produce all year round, even during the winter.

Hallowe’en is approaching rapidly everywhere and so also on Jean-Talon Market. Everywhere you see the pumpkins in all shapes and sizes. Some are so big you can live in them and feed a large family on the pumpkin soup and the pumpkin pie for a month. There is enough garlic in one stall to prevent any vampire from sinking his teeth into the extra virgin olive oil, sold on the stalls next door.

Flowers, cauliflowers and peppers can be bought in a multitude of colours; and potatoes next to sweet and spicy chillies.

There are melons, mushrooms and maple syrup. Ripe tomatoes, oranges and cranberries – as far as the eye can see.

And, of course, you can end your shopping with the very Québecois culinary adventure of poutine: fries with gravy and cheese.