What is in season in Toulouse. and what to order when the market changes.
Spring
- White asparagus from the Landes: Plump white asparagus from the sandy Landes pine forests arrives at the Marche Victor Hugo in April and runs into May, served simply with hollandaise.
- Strawberries from Penne d'Agenais: Lot-et-Garonne strawberries, especially the Ciflorette and Gariguette, fill market stalls from late March to June, sold in green wood baskets at every Saint-Aubin Sunday stand.
- Pyrenean lamb: Spring lamb from the Pyrenees foothills arrives at Easter, sold whole or in saddles at the Marche Victor Hugo butchers, then served roasted with garlic at the city's bistros.
Summer
- Melon from Lectoure: Cantaloupe melons from the Gers town of Lectoure peak in July and August, the producer Pierre Latrille's stand at the Marche Victor Hugo is the canonical buy, served with a glass of Floc de Gascogne.
- Peaches from Moissac: Yellow and white peaches from the Tarn-et-Garonne orchards around Moissac run June to September, sold by the half kilo at the Saint-Aubin Sunday market.
- Chasselas de Moissac grapes: The Moissac white grape, AOC since 1971, ripens in late August and runs into October, eaten fresh as a snack and paired with cheese plates from the Capitole bistros.
Autumn
- Cepes from the Pyrenean foothills: Wild Boletus edulis from the Comminges and Ariege forests appear at the Victor Hugo market in October, served sauteed with garlic and parsley at the city's southwest bistros.
- Game from the Lauragais: Pheasant, wild duck and venison from the Lauragais plain run October to January, the centrepiece of fine-dining tasting menus at Les Jardins de l'Opera and Acte 2.
- New-season foie gras: Fresh foie gras d'oie and de canard from the Gers arrives in autumn, sold raw or torchon at the Marche Victor Hugo charcuterie counters from October through Christmas.
Winter
- Cassoulet season: Cassoulet is at its proper season from November through February, with all three styles, Toulouse with confit duck, Castelnaudary with pork only, and Carcassonne with partridge, available across the centre.
- Truffles from the Quercy: Black Perigord truffle (Tuber melanosporum) from the Quercy and Lot runs December to March, sold by the gram at Saturday-morning truffle markets in Lalbenque, a 90 minute drive north.
- Confit duck and magret: Winter is the canonical confit-duck season at the bistros around Saint-Georges, served either as the cassoulet centrepiece or sliced on its own as a magret with potato sarladaise.