Julia Willard, Falling Off Bicycles, Bastille marché Paris, radis

Insider’s Abroad interviewed me within the last few months about life as an expat, and one of the questions posed to me was about what my favorite foods are in France. I don’t know for sure, but I’m guessing she was expecting me to reply bœuf bourguignon or vichyssoise or some other French “delicacy”, however neither of those are anywhere near the top of my list. In fact, I’ve never had either of them! Nope, among two other delectable goodies in France, I put radishes on my list. Am I nuts? Perhaps. But before you go judging me, first look, then try… These beauties come in ample bunches with tufts of green leaves on one side and long  white and electric pink crunchiness on the other. I don’t know if it’s the flavor of the produce here or the beautiful way they’re displayed at the marchés, but I know these roots that most of us wouldn’t be caught dead eating raw and undressed are like candy here in France. I find that back home, the display has become undervalued, and much to the detriment of the country’s health. If it’s true that we eat with our eyes, then shouldn’t we be flaunting the beautiful colors of nature’s abundance? If you’ve ever walked through a French open air market, you know this is taken as another opportunity to create something beautiful out of something “ordinary”. I absolutely love this about the French and am thankful for how it has helped me see more of the extraordinary in everyday things.